Weavers' cooperative APCO holding golden jubilee celebrations

Lokesh will attend the event at APCO Chenetha Samudayam (APCO Thota) at Yerrabalem in Mangalagiri. Minister for handlooms and textiles, S Savitha, will be the chief guest.

Established on July 6, 1976 through the merger of Hyco Fabrics, Raya Fabrics and Andhra Handlooms, APCO was created to provide assured marketing support to primary handloom weavers' cooperative societies, generate continuous employment for weavers and improve their socio-economic conditions.

APCO claims to have evolved into a leading handloom marketing organisation, procuring products from over 1,000 cooperative societies and marketing them through nearly 80 showrooms across the country besides expanding its reach through e-commerce and digital platforms.

The golden jubilee comes amid renewed government support for the sector. In 2025, APCO revised bleaching and dyeing charges and enhanced wages for weavers producing bedsheets and towels, resulting in an overall increase of `108 per day. The government has also strengthened procurement of uniforms, bedding and other textile requirements for welfare institutions, ensuring sustained production orders and regular employment.

Over the years, APCO has played a role in preserving celebrated handloom traditions such as Dharmavaram silks, Venkatagiri sarees, Uppada Jamdani, Mangalagiri fabrics, Chirala textiles, Bandar weaves and the internationally acclaimed Ponduru Khadi. It also received the SKOCH Award-2025 for introducing a computerised online billing system.

As APCO enters its sixth decade, the cooperative entity has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting Andhra Pradesh's handloom legacy through innovation, stronger market access and continued support to weaver families. APCO managing director K Kannababu invited weavers, officials and the public to participate in the golden jubilee celebrations.