Metro India News | AMARAVATI

In order to strengthen the digital presence of Andhra Pradesh’s traditional crafts and address operational challenges faced on large e-commerce platforms, the State government is set to launch a dedicated online portal for Lepakshi Handicrafts. The initiative comes even as Lepakshi products continue to be sold through third-party platforms such as Amazon and MyStore.

Officials said the decision was driven by persistent constraints in listing the full range of Lepakshi products on external marketplaces, along with rising operational costs that were affecting both artisans and the State-run handicrafts network.

Speaking to Metro India, on the initiative, BC Welfare, Handlooms and Handicrafts Minister S. Savitha said the government was keen to create a self-reliant digital ecosystem for traditional artisans.

“Our artisans produce a wide variety of handcrafted items, but only a small fraction of them are currently visible online. A dedicated Lepakshi portal will allow us to showcase the complete range, ensure fair pricing and directly connect buyers with authentic Andhra Pradesh handicrafts,” the Minister said.

While Lepakshi products are available on Amazon and MyStore, officials acknowledged that only select, standardized items are listed due to logistical and technical hurdles. Many Lepakshi crafts are unique, fragile, made-to-order or available in limited quantities, making them difficult to upload, warehouse and deliver under rigid e-commerce norms.

Senior official of A.P. Handicrafts Development Corporation Limited explained that selling through large marketplaces involves additional expenses such as warehousing charges, packaging standards, platform commissions and logistics costs. “These charges significantly reduce margins and, in some cases, make it unviable to sell certain handcrafted items online. As a result, several products crafted by rural artisans never reach digital customers,” an official said on the condition of anonymity.

The proposed Lepakshi online portal will function as a direct-to-consumer platform, enabling the corporation to upload a wider catalogue that includes wooden toys, Kalamkari textiles, Etikoppaka lacquerware, Kondapalli toys, stone and metal crafts, jewellery and handloom products.

According to the corporation, the in-house platform will offer greater flexibility in pricing, customised delivery options and better inventory management without mandatory warehouse stocking. “Our own portal will reduce dependency on intermediaries, improve transparency and ensure that artisans receive a larger share of the final price paid by customers,” the corporation stated.

Minister Savitha said the move would also help strengthen Lepakshi’s brand identity globally. “E-commerce giants are useful, but a dedicated portal gives Lepakshi its own digital address. It will highlight the story of each craft, the artisan behind it and the cultural heritage of Andhra Pradesh,” she noted.

The portal is expected to integrate secure payment gateways, nationwide delivery options and multilingual support, with plans to later explore international shipping. Officials said the platform would coexist with Amazon and MyStore listings, giving customers multiple purchasing channels while prioritising sustainability and artisan welfare.

With growing demand for authentic, handmade products, the State government believes the Lepakshi online portal will play a key role in modernising the handicrafts sector while preserving traditional skills for future generations.