Herat silk industry loses domestic, international buyers

HERAT CITY (Pajhwok): Women associated with silk production in western Herat province say they are concerned the lack of domestic market for their products may lead to demise of the ancient industry.

Seddiqa Tamasuki, a woman silk mill owner, told Pajhwok Afghan News 450 silk mills had been functioning in the province in the past, but now their number had decreased to only three.

Tamasuki said each kilogram of silk was sold for 7,000 afghanis compared its past rate of 10,000 afs.

Madina Herawi, another silk industrialist, said she would earn up to 1,000 afs daily from silk production, but after the current regime’s takeover, her income decreased to 300 afs per day.

She said the lack of domestic and international markets for their products was the main reason behind the decline in silk business.

Officials of the Agricultural Department accept the silk industry is facing downturn.

Khalil Ahmad Behmanesh, head of animals’ propagation department, told Pajhwok Afghan News the department would distribute about 5,000 crates of silkworms annually in the past, but this year they distributed only 2,000 crates of silkworms.

He added the reason for this decrease was Covid-19 lockdowns which caused reduction in international flights. However the price of silk is a little higher now.

Rehabilitation Association and Agriculture Development for Afghanistan (RAADA) organization is working to restore the silk industry in Herat province.

Dr. Nazir Ahmad Ghafori, RAADA head, in a statement told Pajhwok Afghan News that the RAADA covered over 5,000 families and distributed free worm eggs to generate more job opportunities for poor families and help them sell their silk products as well.

Ghafori added that RAADA launched some workshops for the capacity building of livestock farmers while their workshops were ongoing in Zinda Jan, Guzara and Pashton Zarghon districts.

The families get a million dollar income from their products but Ghafori thinks it is not enough for the families and asks the government for further contribution and help.

It is worth mentioning that most of the silk produced in Herat is exported to international markets as raw material while some is used for production of shawls (scarves), handkerchiefs, rugs, turbans and other clothing.

In the past, most of silk customers were foreigners like diplomats and as the international market is closed for silk exports, the industry has also nosedived.

As most of silk producers are women, many lost their jobs as well.

aw/ma