By Md Aynal Haque

RAJSHAHI, Sept 14, 2025 (BSS) - Elevating both the farming and industrial sides together with infusing dynamism into field level promotional activities can be the crucial means of bringing back the lost glory of the traditional silk sector.

Since the immemorial time, Rajshahi has been famous for silk but its legacy has been on the verge of waning for decades due to various reasons. 

The sericulture and silk industry, by its nature, is a family based labour-intensive economic activity that provides employment for the rural people.

Many rural people had got the path of improving their living standard through boosting local silk yarn production.

Once upon a time, most of the villagers were seen farming silkworm sericulture side by side with their regular household activities in Bagha and Charghat upazilas in Rajshahi and Bholahat upazila in Chapainawabganj districts.

The glorious situation can be revived after the best use of existing natural resources. There are enormous scopes of generating employment opportunities along with improving living and livelihood conditions of the marginalized and landless people, particularly women, through engaging them in sericulture.

Rajshahi silk received Geographical Indication (GI) status in 2017, legally recognising its unique identity. The Bangladesh Sericulture Development Board (BSDB), based in Rajshahi, is mandated to revive and expand the country's silk sector.

"We intended to boost the capacity of the targeted people through imparting them with training in different stages of sericulture," said Shafiqul Islam, Director General (DG) of BSDB, while talking to BSS recently.

In addition to the modernization of the sericulture nurseries, initiative has been taken to boost the production of mulberry plants and cocoons in Ishwardi, Rangpur, Comilla, Konabari and Bogura nursery centres.
 
Silk cultivation has been expanded to 1,100 bigha of land in farming methods aimed at generating silk farmers and entrepreneurs together with imparting training to 3,270 farmers for creating skilled manpower.

Around 2,369 silk farmers were given materials for silkworm rearing. So far, around 15 lakh mulberry pants were produced and distributed among the farmers.

In addition to constructing 874 houses for silkworm rearing by farmers, mulberry orchards on 120 bigha of lands are being maintained at present. 

They are also planning to meet the country's demand by enhancing the production of silkworm and raw silk. Initiatives have been taken to expand sericulture through farming methods aimed at increasing silk production on a commercial basis.

At present, more than 4,000 people are involved in silk farming directly in the grassroots in 600 blocks.

 "We are extending financial support to all the grassroots farmers through 59 centres," said DG Shafiqul Islam, adding that there are also arrangements of extending support to those engaged in silk cocoon, yarn and mulberry farming and silk industries besides marketing of silk products.
They are encouraging the farmers towards mulberry farming as the main crop with the ultimate goal of boosting silk production. Currently, mulberry plants are being cultivated on homesteads and roadside vacant places.

The multidisciplinary activities provide unique job opportunities to the marginal farmers, landless poor, rural and contribute a lot to poverty reduction, he added.

Nasima Khatun, Director (Production and Marketing) of BSDB, said the prospect of intercropping is very bright to boost additional income from the same land together with silk cocoon production throughout the region.

Intercropping mulberry trees with some other vegetables and spices is being promoted among the farmers aimed at uplifting silk production.

The mulberry cultivation is more or less dependent on the fallow lands and other roadside mulberry plants without proper management practice at present.

The research outputs were positive relating to the production of spices, vegetables and mulberry leaves along with attaining food security.

She said Bangladesh Sericulture Research and Training Institute (BSRTI) has innovated 20 silkworm and 15 mulberry plant varieties after a long research creating massive hope of revitalization of the prestigious silk sector.

Silk production will be enhanced by around 12 to 15 percent together with decreasing the dependence on import of silk yarn amid the variety innovation recently. Farmers will also be benefited enormously from the innovation.

Lutfor Rahman Talukder, Chief Planning Officer of BSDB, said the Rajshahi Silk Factory has been re-launched in 2018, weaving clothes in 19 power looms. 

Since then, 53,000 meter clothes were manufactured till April last. Silk clothes valued at around Taka 2.5 lakh are being sold through the factory showroom.

Silk fabrics, woven and designed by local artisans, are in huge demand in the region, with the affluent people rushing to the silk showrooms frequently.

Saidur Rahman, showroom in-charge of Sapura Silk, said katoar shari of muslin is on the top of buyers' choice, selling from Tk 3,500 to Tk 1, 50,000.

He said silk-made sharis, punjabees, three-pieces and children's dresses were assembled at the showrooms.

Usha Silk has also brought a new design with stripe which is being sold at Tk 1,900 to Tk 6,500 per piece, sellers said.

Nur Alam Bulbul, showroom in-charge of Usha Silk, said their sharies are being sold at Tk 1,150 to Tk 50,500 and the three-pieces priced at Tk 2,500 to Tk 75,500.

Varieties of silk clothes namely Bolakakar Chupi, Sui-Sutakatan, Kotisilk, Joyashri, Silk Katan, Water Katan, Jamdani Katan, Borkatan, Dupiana, Jhornakatan, shari, three piece, orna, panjabi-pajama, shirt, fatua and scarf are on display in every shop and showroom to attract the buyers.

The well-off buyers are purchasing their best choice whatever its price is while the middle and low-income groups are seen bargaining with the sellers.

Liakat Ali, President of Bangladesh Silk Industries Owners Association, said revitalization of the traditional silk sector can be the crucial means of restoring its glory as it still has an image and pride throughout the country.

Integrated efforts of all the authorities concerned is very important towards reviving the prestigious sector because it's labour-intensive in both farming and industrial sides.

He said silk is not only pride and heritage for Rajshahi but also throughout the country. Utmost emphasis should be given on making the sector profitable together with sustaining its golden heritage.

Silk represents the entire Rajshahi in both home and abroad. 

He also said," There are around 80 small and medium silk factories in the private sector with a capacity of manufacturing 25.50 million meters of fabrics annually."

Apart from this, there are about 10,000 private handlooms with a capacity of producing 30 million meters of silk fabric. But the factories are dependent on imported yarn.

Rajshahi Silk term refers to the high-quality silk products originating from the region, famously known for its sarees. 

The sector relies on skilled workers such as rearers, weavers, and printers, whose retention is crucial for the industry's health. 

As a whole, Liakat Ali said the silk sector faces a challenge of balancing consumer demand with a fluctuating supply of quality raw silk yarn, leading to increased prices and potential risks to the sector.