HERAT (TOLONews): The Herat Directorate of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock said that the silk farming industry has significantly improved in the province this year.
According to officials from the directorate, more than 6,000 boxes of silkworms have been distributed to farmers and villagers by various institutions this year.
It is said that each box of silkworms can yield up to ten kilograms of cocoons. The price of each kilogram of cocoons ranges between 1,000 to 1,500 afghani in the markets.
Fahim Fayez, the head of the bird, fish, and insect section of the Herat Directorate of Agriculture and Irrigation, said: “In the past, due to the problems in the country, the silk industry had declined. Now, more institutions and the Agriculture Directorate are working to further develop this industry.”
Ahmad Shah Qawami, deputy head of the Herat Silk Farming Union, told TOLOnews: “About 5,500 to 6,000 people are engaged in collecting leaves, working, and raising silkworms in Zindajan district. Silk farming is an industry that engages the entire community, from seven-year-old children to eighty-year-old elders.
The silkworm cultivation process takes about a month, and during this time, a family with four to five boxes of silkworms can earn 50,000 to 60,000 afghani.”
Seventy percent of the activities in this industry are carried out by women, and the main center of silk farming in Herat is Zindajan district.
The process of cocoon production, from beginning to harvest, takes about a month. Farmers say the industry has played a vital role in improving their economic conditions.
Abdul Qadeer Esmati, one of the farmers, told TOLOnews: “Silk farming is labor-intensive and puts a burden on women; however, it is economically beneficial. If the cocoons are purchased and exported, it would be good and would help people economically.”
Nisar Ahmad, another farmer in Herat, said: “Silk farming has a good and legal income in 10 to 20 days. We work day and night and earn good amount of money.”
Silk farming and weaving are ancient industries in Herat which according to local officials, have a history of over two thousand years. Thousands of people in several districts of Herat, especially Zindajan, are engaged in this industry.
