Ignite a rural silk revolution

the silk selling shops have to be made more alluring through diversified and flamboyant products

It’s heartening to find that a rural silk based movement has begun, providing earning capacity to people and helping to rejuvenate a moribund industry. Reportedly, in the last ten years, 39.5 lakh Mulberry plants, 35.01 lakh disinfected cocoons and 12.16 lakh eggs were distributed among farmers. The Ek Bari, Ek Khamar (EBEK) project which aims to incorporate earning building engagements in rural homes, also features silk production or sericulture. This strategy is indeed ingenious since silk production can only be revived when sericulture is pursued in a wide scale in rural Bangladesh.

There are already 23 sericulture villages established to improve the quality of cocoon. As of this moment, there are almost six lakh people engaged in silk production in 80 small and medium enterprises. It would not be wrong to state that a silk based industry is already on the move and what is needed now is to transform it into a nationwide engagement. The production will only get boost when silk items are in demand and therefore, the government, in association with local fashion houses, have a role to play in bringing silk items into mainstream fashion.

So far, saris are the major item made from silk; however, with active participation of local brands, silk can have a presence in almost all garments. Bangladeshi silk has always been renowned for its fine quality and this has to be established in foreign markets. The overall progress of the industry will rely on an expanding market. Africa and other countries can be looked into along with setting up silk supplying links with internationally renowned fashion outlets.

While 10,000 private handlooms are in operation, banks can provide special incentives to these mills through easy loans, skill development support and promotion through banks’ cultural events. The modern day young are fashion conscious and they must know the quality of local silk, so silk promotion among the youth can also be triggered. This winter there will be many fairs and textile shows which need to showcase silk not only as a traditional material but also as an item that can add zing to modern day trends. Lastly, the silk selling shops have to be made more alluring through diversified and flamboyant products.  

 

 

Ignite a rural silk revolution

the silk selling shops have to be made more alluring through diversified and flamboyant products

Its heartening to find that a rural silk based movement has begun, providing earning capacity to people and helping to rejuvenate a moribund industry. Reportedly, in the last ten years, 39.5 lakh Mulberry plants, 35.01 lakh disinfected cocoons and 12.16 lakh eggs were distributed among farmers. The Ek Bari, Ek Khamar (EBEK) project which aims to incorporate earning building engagements in rural homes, also features silk production or sericulture. This strategy is indeed ingenious since silk production can only be revived when sericulture is pursued in a wide scale in rural Bangladesh. There are already 23 sericulture villages established to improve the quality of cocoon. As of this moment, there are almost six lakh people engaged in silk production in 80 small and medium enterprises. It would not be wrong to state that a silk based industry is already on the move and what is needed now is to transform it into a nationwide engagement. The production will only get boost when silk items are in demand and therefore, the government, in association with local fashion houses, have a role to play in bringing silk items into mainstream fashion. So far, saris are the major item made from silk; however, with active participation of local brands, silk can have a presence in almost all garments. Bangladeshi silk has always been renowned for its fine quality and this has to be established in foreign markets. The overall progress of the industry will rely on an expanding market. Africa and other countries can be looked into along with setting up silk supplying links with internationally renowned fashion outlets. While 10,000 private handlooms are in operation, banks can provide special incentives to these mills through easy loans, skill development support and promotion through banks cultural events. The modern day young are fashion conscious and they must know the quality of local silk, so silk promotion among the youth can also be triggered. This winter there will be many fairs and textile shows which need to showcase silk not only as a traditional material but also as an item that can add zing to modern day trends. Lastly, the silk selling shops have to be made more alluring through diversified and flamboyant products.