BSS, Rajshahi :
Speakers at a participatory view-haring meeting in Rajshahi have unequivocally called for re-launching the now defunct Rajshahi Silk Factory and Thakurgaon Silk factory, two state-owned factories belong to Bangladesh Sericulture Development Board (BSDB), for revitalization of the traditional silk sector.
They viewed resumption of the two factories is the long-lasting demand of the region as livelihood of many its people depends on the sector.
They also mentioned that boosting production of local yarn can help revitalise the silk sector and regain its lost glory alongside meeting the local demand. Local consumption could be met with domestic outputs of silk after proper use of natural resources.
Rising price of imported yarn has posed a challenge to local silk manufacturers but offered an opportunity to increase local production of raw materials.
BSDB organized the meeting in its conference hall discussing ways and means on how to re-launch the factories as early as possible to meet up the local demand.
With Anis-Ul-Haque Bhuiyan, Director General of BSDB, in the chair, Rajshahi University teachers, Prof Dr Mustafizur Rahman and Prof Dr Mukhlesur Rahman, BSDB Member (Finance and Planning) Nazibul Islam and Member (Extension and Motivation) Serajul Islam, Director of Bangladesh Sericulture Research and Training Institute Jamaluddin Shah and Managing Director of Sapura Silk Mills Limited Sadar Ali spoke on the occasion.
Deputy General Manager of Rajshahi Textile Mills Abual Hossain, Deputy Director of Divisional Textile Department Deen Muhammad Ali and BSDB Secretary Zayedul Islam also spoke.
During his keynote presentation, BSDB Member Nazibul Islam, highlighted various ways and means of substantial and sustainable production of silk yarn through the best uses of 12 minifilatures.
The discussants recommended that ways and means should be worked out how yarn production could be boosted through proper utilization of the existing natural and other infrastructural resources. There is no alternative to raising domestic production of yarn to protect the sector.
They opined that the sector needs an urgent initiative to retain the skilled labourers, especially the realers, weavers and printers, in the profession and thus protect the sector itself.
Demand of local yarn has started increasing due to the price-hike of imported silk. It is expected that the cocoon rearers would become interested again in enhancing their production if they get reasonable price of their produce.
“We have no alternative to revitalizing the sector and protect its six lakh people,” said silk industrialist Sadar Ali.
He listed the growers should be provided with supports and inputs such as disinfectant eggs, high-yielding mulberry plants, technical support and soft loan for construction of rearing house along with ensuring sound marketing facilities.
He maintains that sericulture, a labour-intensive, agro-based industry, is ideally suited to the socioeconomic conditions of the country.
As a cottage industry, all family members can work and earn supplementary income in sericulture.
Mulberry, the only food plant of silkworm can be raised in any cultivable and non-cultivable land ensures leaf supply for about 30 to 35 years.
Speakers at a participatory view-haring meeting in Rajshahi have unequivocally called for re-launching the now defunct Rajshahi Silk Factory and Thakurgaon Silk factory, two state-owned factories belong to Bangladesh Sericulture Development Board (BSDB), for revitalization of the traditional silk sector.
They viewed resumption of the two factories is the long-lasting demand of the region as livelihood of many its people depends on the sector.
They also mentioned that boosting production of local yarn can help revitalise the silk sector and regain its lost glory alongside meeting the local demand. Local consumption could be met with domestic outputs of silk after proper use of natural resources.
Rising price of imported yarn has posed a challenge to local silk manufacturers but offered an opportunity to increase local production of raw materials.
BSDB organized the meeting in its conference hall discussing ways and means on how to re-launch the factories as early as possible to meet up the local demand.
With Anis-Ul-Haque Bhuiyan, Director General of BSDB, in the chair, Rajshahi University teachers, Prof Dr Mustafizur Rahman and Prof Dr Mukhlesur Rahman, BSDB Member (Finance and Planning) Nazibul Islam and Member (Extension and Motivation) Serajul Islam, Director of Bangladesh Sericulture Research and Training Institute Jamaluddin Shah and Managing Director of Sapura Silk Mills Limited Sadar Ali spoke on the occasion.
Deputy General Manager of Rajshahi Textile Mills Abual Hossain, Deputy Director of Divisional Textile Department Deen Muhammad Ali and BSDB Secretary Zayedul Islam also spoke.
During his keynote presentation, BSDB Member Nazibul Islam, highlighted various ways and means of substantial and sustainable production of silk yarn through the best uses of 12 minifilatures.
The discussants recommended that ways and means should be worked out how yarn production could be boosted through proper utilization of the existing natural and other infrastructural resources. There is no alternative to raising domestic production of yarn to protect the sector.
They opined that the sector needs an urgent initiative to retain the skilled labourers, especially the realers, weavers and printers, in the profession and thus protect the sector itself.
Demand of local yarn has started increasing due to the price-hike of imported silk. It is expected that the cocoon rearers would become interested again in enhancing their production if they get reasonable price of their produce.
“We have no alternative to revitalizing the sector and protect its six lakh people,” said silk industrialist Sadar Ali.
He listed the growers should be provided with supports and inputs such as disinfectant eggs, high-yielding mulberry plants, technical support and soft loan for construction of rearing house along with ensuring sound marketing facilities.
He maintains that sericulture, a labour-intensive, agro-based industry, is ideally suited to the socioeconomic conditions of the country.
As a cottage industry, all family members can work and earn supplementary income in sericulture.
Mulberry, the only food plant of silkworm can be raised in any cultivable and non-cultivable land ensures leaf supply for about 30 to 35 years.
