Formation of sericulture department planned
Talha Bin Habib | Monday, 4 April 2011
Talha Bin Habib
The government plans to establish 'Department of Sericulture' to give boost to the silk sector, ministry officials said Sunday. To this effect, a five-member committee has been formed to prepare a report on the objective of the proposed department. Textiles and Jute Ministry in its meeting last month decided to set up the department to devise ways how to make the country self-reliant in silk as it still depends on import to mitigate local demand. Bangladesh Sericulture Research and Training Institute (BSRTI), Bangladesh Sericulture Board (BSB) and Bangladesh Silk Foundation (BSF) are now involved in developing silk sector. But the nature and functions of those organisations are almost identical prompting the government to think an alternative way to develop sericulture. The committee would prepare draft recommendations on the proposed Sericulture Department of Bangladesh. The five-member committee, headed by a joint secretary (Admin) of the Ministry of Textiles and Jute, has representatives from BSRTI, BSB and BSF. "The committee has started work and is expected to submit its report within the next few months," secretary of the Textiles and Jute Ministry Md Ashraful Moqbul told the FE. "The BSRTI and BSB will be merged into the proposed department of sericulture as a single entity. BSF will be abolished once the department starts functioning," he said. He said the recommendations will be sent to the law ministry for vetting. Besides, after getting the green signal from the ministries of finance and establishment, the proposal will go to the cabinet for approval. After the Cabinet's approval, it will be placed before parliament so that the department can have a legal framework for its functioning. At present Rajshahi is the main area for sericulture cultivation. If the department is formed it will help expand silk cultivation to other areas such as Thakurgaon, Rangpur, Mymensingh and in three hill districts of the country. "Every year the country needs silk between 350 and 400 tonnes. Out of this, only 50 tonnes are produced locally. The rest is being imported mainly from China and Vietnam," an official of BSTRI told the FE. He said that per kg of imported raw silk is now about taka 5 thousand. This year the country has a target to produce about 60 tonnes of silk. BSB is based in Rajshahi. It was established in 1978 under a Presidential Ordinance (Ordinance 1977). The main objectives of the BSB include planning and developing sericulture and the silk industry and to undertake, assist and encourage scientific, technological and economic research and training to improve sericulture activities. Since its inception, sericulture activities have generated employment for more than 5 million people. Cocoon production has also increased significantly. A number of NGOs are now involved in the sericulture programme to generate employment for the rural poor. Many silk factories have been established in different places of the country with the support of BSB.
The government plans to establish 'Department of Sericulture' to give boost to the silk sector, ministry officials said Sunday. To this effect, a five-member committee has been formed to prepare a report on the objective of the proposed department. Textiles and Jute Ministry in its meeting last month decided to set up the department to devise ways how to make the country self-reliant in silk as it still depends on import to mitigate local demand. Bangladesh Sericulture Research and Training Institute (BSRTI), Bangladesh Sericulture Board (BSB) and Bangladesh Silk Foundation (BSF) are now involved in developing silk sector. But the nature and functions of those organisations are almost identical prompting the government to think an alternative way to develop sericulture. The committee would prepare draft recommendations on the proposed Sericulture Department of Bangladesh. The five-member committee, headed by a joint secretary (Admin) of the Ministry of Textiles and Jute, has representatives from BSRTI, BSB and BSF. "The committee has started work and is expected to submit its report within the next few months," secretary of the Textiles and Jute Ministry Md Ashraful Moqbul told the FE. "The BSRTI and BSB will be merged into the proposed department of sericulture as a single entity. BSF will be abolished once the department starts functioning," he said. He said the recommendations will be sent to the law ministry for vetting. Besides, after getting the green signal from the ministries of finance and establishment, the proposal will go to the cabinet for approval. After the Cabinet's approval, it will be placed before parliament so that the department can have a legal framework for its functioning. At present Rajshahi is the main area for sericulture cultivation. If the department is formed it will help expand silk cultivation to other areas such as Thakurgaon, Rangpur, Mymensingh and in three hill districts of the country. "Every year the country needs silk between 350 and 400 tonnes. Out of this, only 50 tonnes are produced locally. The rest is being imported mainly from China and Vietnam," an official of BSTRI told the FE. He said that per kg of imported raw silk is now about taka 5 thousand. This year the country has a target to produce about 60 tonnes of silk. BSB is based in Rajshahi. It was established in 1978 under a Presidential Ordinance (Ordinance 1977). The main objectives of the BSB include planning and developing sericulture and the silk industry and to undertake, assist and encourage scientific, technological and economic research and training to improve sericulture activities. Since its inception, sericulture activities have generated employment for more than 5 million people. Cocoon production has also increased significantly. A number of NGOs are now involved in the sericulture programme to generate employment for the rural poor. Many silk factories have been established in different places of the country with the support of BSB.