A Critical Analysis on Major Problems Faced by Reelers and Weavers of Silk Industry at Field Level in Murshidabad District of West Bengal Majumdar Mahasankar*, Sarkar Kunal, Sinha Souvik Department of Sericulture, Krishnath College, Berhampore, Murshidabad, West Bengal, India *Correspondence author: maha.majumdar@gmail.com
Online published on 16 February, 2018. Abstract Once silk goods of Murshidabad were exported to the different countries of the world. In sixteenth century Murshidabad exported its silk product to the coasts of East Africa, Arabia, Turkey, Syria and other countries (Das, R, 2015). Then came Dutch, East India Company and captured the silk business in this district. The company used to purchase silk yarns from the reelers and exported them to the Western Countries for producing silk products and gradually the company acquired full control over the silk production in the district. Murshidabad has a rich cultural heritage and the art of hand weaving formed its integral part. But now a day's both the sector i.e. reeling and weaving sectors are declining day by day. The present study highlights 9 major problems in reeling sector and 7 major problems in weaving sector. The study reveals that above 93% releers are complained about the lack of raw materials. The study also indicates that in only 20–33% successor of present are interested in this reeling sector and in weaving sector it is only 28%. The study also reveals that 90%-100% reelers and weavers are not satisfied for their wages. These are some the major problems which are responsible for declining the sectors in our district. The study also highlighted some future strategy to overcome the situation so that the “Murshidabad Silk” can regain its past glory. Top Keywords Sericulture, reeler, weaver, export, silk, silk goods, wages, future generation, Murshidabad silk. Top |