Herat textile handicraft business declines due to economic crisis

HERAT CITY (Pajhwok): Some people in western Herat province associated with embroidery and the sale of embroidery products have expressed their concerns at the decaying market condition of handicrafts they produce and said due to economic problems public interest in handicraft products had declined.

In the ancient and historical markets of Herat, the ancient art of embroidery, which used to adorn local clothes and accessories, is now facing the risk of being forgotten and stagnant in the market, it is considered a part of the province’s identity, at the same time, economic problems and social changes have resulted in the gradual decline of this art.

Many shopkeepers have complained about the decrease in demand for embroidery products in the markets of this province. They say that their income from the sale of these products has decreased drastically.

Talking to Pajhwok Afghan News, one of the Herat’s experienced embroidery products sellers says that their workload has dropped by 80 percent compared to a few years ago, and this has had a direct impact on producers.

Abdul Sattar Barakzai, one of the experienced embroiderers, said their workload has dropped by 80 percent compared to a few years ago, and this has had a direct impact on producers.

He said five years ago he hired over 2,000 embroiders in Herat City and districts, but now due to declining market condition he had decreased his workers to 500.

Abdul Wahab, another embroiderer in the Lelami Square of Herat City, said  the sales of their products has declined and daily they could not sell more than two or three items and some days they have no sales.

He also asked the government for support for market exploration and holding exhibitions.

Rahimullah, one of the embroidery products sellers, said handicraft textile sold according to its design at different prices.

He said the existence of computrised and machine based sewing have had an impact on handicraft textile.

He said a decent computarised neck piece is sold at up to 2,000 afs but an ordinary hand-made neck piece rat is 3,000 afs while a high quality neck peace rate is up to 15,000 afs.

He said he deteriorated economic condition of the people left direct negative impact on the sale of embroidery products.

Haji Abdul Qadir Akbari, head of the Chamber of Craftsmen, also acknowledged the issue and said meetings had been held with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and they every time demanded solution to this problem.

Herat Commerce and Industry Department pledged support to textile handicraft and said last year 2,500 individuals have been supported in this field.

Mawlavi Mohammad Bashir Seerat, the Agriculture Department director, said the support was provided in different shape that included capacity building and the distribution of necessary and raw materials.

He said enough support had been provided in the embroidery field as well and this support would continue in the future.

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