Silk Value Chain Analysis

Afghanistan Women’s Chamber of Commerce

and Industries (AWCCI)
Table of Contents

Acronym ......................................................................................1

Acknowledgement ........................................................................2

Background: .................................................................................3

Silk Production Industry: ............................................................................ 4

Introduction: ................................................................................6

Aim and Objectives: ................................................................................... 6

Methodology: .............................................................................................. 7

Findings: ......................................................................................7

1) Mulberry Cultivation: ......................................................................... 7

2) Silkworm Seed/Laying Production (Granges): ................................... 8

3) Silkworms Rearing: ............................................................................ 8

4) Reeling: ............................................................................................... 9

5) Twisting and Dying: ........................................................................... 9

6) Silk Products and Silk Trade:.............................................................. 9

7) Support Services for Silk Value Chain: ............................................ 10

Conclusion and Recommendations: .............................................. 11

Annex 1: Key Informant Interview Tool ........................................ 13

Acronym

AOP Administrative Office of the President

ANPDF Afghanistan National Peace and Development Framework

RAADA Rehabilitation Association and Agriculture Development for Afghanistan

CSO Central Statistics Organization

GIZ Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit

KII Key Informants Interviews

NGO Non-governmental Organizations

MAIL Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock

MoE Ministry of Education

MoEc Ministry of Economy

MoWA Ministry of Women Affairs

MRRD Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development

UN United Nation

USAID United States Agency for International Development

WB World Bank

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Acknowledgement

The study would like to express my gratitude and special thanks to all the respondents, who have actively
participated in study and have provided all the required information.

We would like to acknowledge assistance and cooperation of all governmental officials at MAIL and
provincial MAIL offices, NGOs representatives, who have extended their helping hands in provision of
timely data and information for this study.

We are also particularly thankful to those who provided their assistance during data collection and key
informant interviews.

Sincerely,

Study Team

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Background:

Silk production and silk products utilization is as old as the human civilization. China is known for its silk
production and the Romans called use since the 27th century B.C. China as the “SERES”, the country of
silk1. Nowadays, sericulture is practiced in around fifty countries. China, India, Korea, Japan, Turkey,
Brazil and the Central Asian states have attained specialization in sericulture technology and silk
production.

In last few decades, Latin American countries have developed their sericulture sector through promotional
policies. In Argentina, sericulture activities were accelerated through a law ratified in 2004. Bolivia and
Colombia started a number of sericulture projects, USAID and EU funded, to promote sericulture
activities and strengthen the silk sector2. Similarly, Cambodia and Thailand developed their silk sector
through various support programs for the integrated silk value chain3.

The annual world production of raw silk is about 186,000 tons, which satisfies about half (54%) of the
world silk demand. China is the main producer of silk it contributes half of the world supply followed by
India, Korea and Japan. Since limited amount of natural silk is produced, therefore, about half (46%) of
world silk demand is satisfied by artificial silk production. Germany, the UK, France, Italy and Spain are
and will continue to be primary import markets for silk products. However, the Netherlands, Belgium,
Sweden and Austria may emerge important future import markets4.

According to World Trade Organization, in global textile fiber market cotton has the largest share of 40%,
wool accounts for about 2.5% share of global fiber market, while silk occupies a very tiny (0.2%)
proportion of the world fiber. However, the actual trading value of silk and silk products is more
significant than its volume in the global fiber market. Silk is a luxury priced agricultural commodity; the
unit price of raw silk is roughly twenty times that of raw cotton.

1Mau Chuan-Hui Silk industry: Technology and Human Capital Formation in France and China Institute of History,
National Tsing Hua University (Taiwan) retrieved from
www.lse.ac.uk/economicHistory/Conferences/.../PAPERMau.pdf on15/07/2017

2WTO, OECD (2011) Aid for trade, a case story: Cambodia. Retrieved from
http://www.oecd.org/aidfortrade/48413548.pdf

3Agri food Consulting International, (2005) Northeast Thailand Silk Value Chain Study. Retrieved from
www.agrifoodconsulting.com/ACI/.../briefs/brief_39_2054116968.pdf

4 International Sericulture Commission, http://inserco.org/en/statistics

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Afghanistan has a long history in the national and international silk production and silk carpet markets.
Women form the backbone of the silk production industry and the silk carpet value chain. However,
conflict of the last few decades has negatively affected the Silkworm seed production, Silk Rearers, Silk
products producers, pure Silk traders and the support services provided to the silk value chain especially
by the ministry of the agriculture irrigation and livestock (MAIL)5. The supply of silkworm eggs, once
supplied by the Department of Agriculture, came to a sudden halt.

During the years of conflict, the production level of silk cocoons decreased because producers of silk
products were unable to continue their business, so there was less demand for cocoons and silk thread.
Although much of the know-how remains, it takes a push-and-pull action to encourage farmers to start
silkworm propagation and to get back into home-industry making silk products6.

In addition, increase in the use of the synthetic silk products instead of the pure silk products by local
consumers has negatively affected the silk industry in Afghanistan. Lower prices of the synthetic silk
products has resulted in increased demand for the synthetic silk products, for example, a pure silk scarf
might cost around 400 Afghanis, whereas a synthetic version that could be imported from nearby Pakistan
or China would only cost 150 Afghanis. The price of natural silk threads has doubled, one kilogram of
pure silk costs more than 3,000 Afghanis while synthetic Pakistani silk can be bought for 420 Afghanis
per kilogram7.

1. Silk Production Industry:

Sericulture and silk production industry is a labor intensive and combines agriculture and industry .It
generates self employment for the rural educated unemployed, gives quick returns on low investment and
is a source for exports and foreign exchange earnings. The silk industry supply chain has five major
segments, namely:

1. Mulberry Cultivation: mulberry trees cultivation is vital for Silkworms rearing as it needs a
regular supply of mulberry leaves for feeding of silkworms. This mulberry cultivation can be
done on large or even small scale. In silk producing countries like India, bulk of mulberry
cultivation is done by small farmers (< 4 acres land), usually in clusters.

1. 5 Silk Industry Struggles in Heart, IWPR. https://iwpr.net/global-voices/silk-industry-struggles-herat

6 http://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-asia-25498546/afghans-call-on-government-to-help-revive-ancient-silk-
industry
7 http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2227722/Afghanistan-silk-traders-worried-industry-light-cheaper-
synthetic-opposition.html

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 2. Silkworm seed production. Special granges (production centers) can be used for procuring
DFLs (Disease Free Layings, i.e. eggs) through silk worms.
3. Rearing: The larvae of the silk moth are called Silkworm. They are reared in wooden or metallic
specially made trays in special rooms where temperature and humidity are controlled and almost
constantly fed on mulberry leaves. After a certain time they convert themselves into cocoons.
Cocoons are a material made from a single filament that is secreted by the pupae and pupae then
wrap it around itself. These filaments upon hardening constitute silk.
4. Reeling: Reeling involves the removal of silk yarn from the cocoons. A gum like material which
holds a cocoon together, has to be removed from silk. The process consists of first boiling the
cocoon in water to remove the gum and then unwinding the filaments (reeling). Eight to ten
cocoons can be reeled together. There are three common methods for reeling: the charkha, the
slightly more advanced cottage basin and the costly automatic machines.
5. Twisting: Before weaving, the raw silk is boiled again to remove remaining gum, then it is dyed
and bleached. This dyeing and bleaching can also be done in some cases after the cloth is woven.
6. Weaving: Fabric is created by process of weaving. The process of weaving is carried out on
wooden or power looms, after a series of preliminary operations including warping and printing.
Most of the silk producing countries rely mainly on weaving by handlooms although some
countries like china have shifted their weaving on power looms. Handloom products are famous
for their unique designs and weaving patterns.

Weaving
Mulberry Cultivation
Mulberry Leaves Waste/Animal Feed

Granges
Silkworm Seeds Pierced Cocoons

Rearing
Cocoons Cocoons Handicrafts

Reeling
Raw Silk

Twisting
Semi processed Silk Dyed Silk

Silk Products

Different species of moths, cocoons yield different types of silk. The main types of silkworms are:

 Mulberry Silkworm is the most common type of silkworms. It contributes to nearly 95% of
world’s silk production.
 Eri Silkworm are fed on castor leaves and has two varieties– a wild and a domesticated one both
fed on bred on castor leaves. The filament of Eri silkworm is neither continuous nor uniform. It
produces a white or bright red silk .
 Tasar silkworms are wild. They feed on trees of Terminalia species and other minor host plants,
while the Japanese and Chinese worms feed on oak and other allied species.
 Muga silkworm is an other type of silk producing worm. It feeds on some local species of shrubs
like Machilusbombycina and Litsaepolyantha. It produces a strong, golden yellow thread.

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Four different types of silk thread can be produced from the procedure of “throwing” (that is twisting of
raw silk into strands): crepe, tram, thrown singles, and organize. These types of silk are differentiated by
the way of their twisting of threads in one direction or in two directions or doubling two or more strands
together, and then twisting them again.

Products of silk filament include silk yarn, silk cloth, silk garments, silk carpets and silk wastes. The
major types of silk products are taffetas, satins, Reps, regencies, Ottomans, Velvets, crepes, chiffons,
Organdie, voile, Twills, Tartans, Lames, Damasks, Brocades, Jacquard velvet Double damasks, Lampas
and Pattern weaves.

Introduction:

Agriculture-led growth often proved to be powerful vehicle for broad poverty reduction8. The benefits of
agriculture-led growth are increased through strengthening the value chain by agriculture marketing
strategies and by promoting agro based processing industry9. Value chain analysis is used to establish
structural connective point among inputs, processes, outputs and outcome. Silk value chain is a series of
linkage points among small farmers with input-supplier, processors, traders and final consumers. Using
value chain analysis framework developing countries, like Afghanistan, can find small niches in which
they can compete in the rapidly growing local and export market10.

2. Aim and Objectives:

Therefore, silk value chain analysis was carried out to:

 To map different value chain actors of the silk industry in Afghanistan

 To define basic sub-sectors structures of the silk industry in Afghanistan
 To recommend interventions for improving silk value chain in Afghanistan

8DeJanvry, A. and Sadoulet, E. (2009). Agricultural growth and poverty reduction: additional evidence. Oxford:
Oxford University Press

9Christiaensen, L., Demery, L. and Kuhl, J. (2010) The Evolving Role of Agriculture in Poverty Reduction: An
Empirical Perspective’, Working Papers UNU -WIDER Working Paper W, World Institute for Development
Economic Research UNU-WIDER.

10Abbott, J.C. (1986). Marketing Improvement in the Developing World: What Happens and What We Have
Learned. FAO Economic and Social Development Series No. 37. Rome: Food and Agriculture Organization.

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3. Methodology:

To collect the relevant data for the above mentioned study objectives, a qualitative study using key
informant interviews technique was used. Interviews with for the key actors involved in silk value chain
(rearers, twisters, dyers, weavers, traders) were conducted in Kabul, Herat and Balkh provinces. Besides,
data from service providers of silk value chain that is, the focal persons of silk value chain at the ministry
of agriculture irrigation and livestock and NGOs supporting silk value chain, were conducted. The semi-
structured questionnaire was used to collect relevant data which is attached in annex of the report.

Before each interview a proper informed consent was obtained from each respondent, audio and video
recording of some of the interviews were also conducted.

Findings:

A total of 19 interviews with key actors in the silk value chain: silkworm rearers, silk tread twister and
dyers, skill products weavers, silk products traders and with services providers providing support services
to silk value chain were conducted. The interviews were conducted in Kabul, Herat, and Balkh provinces.

SN Type Respondents Number of

Interviews
Conducted
1 Service Providers (MAIL, 5
NGOs)
2 Silk Products Traders 6
3 Silk Twister and Dyer 2
4 Silkworms Rearers 4
5 Silk Products Weavers 2
Total 19

The findings are presented under the seven different components of silk value chain;

1) Mulberry Cultivation:

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In Kabul significant changes in the mulberry trees has not been reported. However, population of
mulberry trees has decreased in the Anjeel district of Herat, while in Zinda Jan district changes in the
mulberry trees have not occurred.

The ministry of agriculture and relevant NGOs do not have specific plan to promote mulberry cultivation
in silk producing provinces.

2) Silkworm Seed/Laying Production (Granges):

Locally laying/eggs are produced by MAIL and then sold to the silkworm rearers and according to
information provided by respondents demand for laying/eggs has decreased over the years. For example
in Zinda Jan district previously about 10,000 boxes of layings/eggs were sold, however, now only 4,000
boxes of laying/eggs are sold in one year.

Laying/eggs are imported from China and then sold to farmers or supplied without any cost by the NGOs
or were supplied by PRT (Herat).

Silkworm seeds (eggs) are supplied by the ministry of agriculture and are procured from the open market
(imported from China). Majority of the respondents involved in silkworm rearing were not aware of if the
laying (eggs) are disease or not. A box (15gm) of laying/eggs cost about 250-500 AFN.

3) Silkworms Rearing:

Silkworms are reared in Kabul, Balkh, Herat, and Logar provinces supported MAIL and their respective
provincial DAIL units. However, private entities or individuals rear silkworms in Baghalan, Badakhshan,
Jawzjan, Paktia, Paktika and Sar-e-Pul. Zinda Jan and Anjeel districts of Herat provinces is famous for its
silk production. Dawlat abad and Shor Tapa districts of Balkh and some localities in Mazar-e-Sharif city
are involved in silkworm rearing.

In last few years the rearing of silkworms has decreased in Afghanistan due to: (1) decreased attention of
the Ministry of Agriculture to silk value chain and silkworm rearing; and (2) urbanization in provinces
such as Kabul has resulted decreased interests in the silkworm rearing among people. According to key
informant at the Ministry of Agriculture, the government of People Republic of China was keen to

8
support silkworm rearing and silk value chain, however, due to lack of interest of ministry of agriculture
the project was not implemented.

The Ministry of Agriculture provides laying/eggs for one cropping or rearing cycles that the Spring
season cycle (Haml and Sawar). However, the NGOs, supporting the silk producing farmers, have
enabled the farmers to have two cropping or rearing cycle in a year that is, Haml-Sawar and Sarataan.

Previously the government used to buy cocoons from the farmers that were then supplied to relevant
entities or people to extract silk from it. However, now cocoons are either sold in open market from where
they are exported mostly to Iran, where silk extracted from cocoons, or farmers directly sell them to local
“reelers”.

According to data one kilogram of cocoons is sold at price of 20 AFN.

4) Reeling:

Mostly charkha is used to extract silk from the cocoon, however, in Herat electric powered equipment
also used to extract silk from the cocoons. NGOs have helped the “reelers” to procure and use new
equipment.

Through reeling raw silk is extracted from the cocoons and a kilogram of raw silk fiber is sold at a price
of 2500-3500 AFN. Silk produced in Herat has higher prices as compared to silk produced in other
provinces.

5) Twisting and Dying:

Traditional methods of twisting and dying are used as reported by the respondents. The skin of
pomegranate is used as a natural color to dye silk used in carpet weaving. After dying the silk fiber is
sold or supplied to carpet weavers.

6) Silk Products and Silk Trade:

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Most of the respondents have reported that carpets, shawls, headscarf, woman clothing, turban, a
traditional Afghan long coat (Chapan) and prayers’ caps are the most common silk products produced in
Afghanistan.

Products, produced from silk of Herat province, have the best quality and are comparatively expensive
than products produced from silk of other provinces.

Pure silk products and mixed silk products are produced and sold in the market. Pure silk products are
very expensive therefore; other fibers such as cotton and sattan are mixed while producing different
products.

Most of the silk products available in the market are imported from Pakistan, Iran, India, Nepal and
China. Local consumers mostly buy the imported products because of their availability and lower cost.

Traders display their silk products in exhibitions in and outside Afghanistan; and then based on the order
they receive during the exhibitions they provide the silk products.

Silk products are exported to Iran, USA, Saudi Arabia, Russia and Germany through Afghan based in
these countries. They either place an order or procure silk products during their visit to Afghanistan and
then export them to these countries. Besides, some of the Afghan silk products are available in the online
shopping platforms.

Afghan silk products such carpets are smuggled to Pakistan from where it exported to other countries.

7) Support Services for Silk Value Chain:

Ministry of Agriculture provides laying/seeds/eggs, provides technical support in silkworm rearing and is
facilitating the process of establishing silkworm farmers’ cooperatives. However, as mentioned above silk
production and promotion of the silk production is not considered as a priority of the ministry, so now
ministry is playing a smaller role in supporting silk value chain in Afghanistan.

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To promote women economic empowerment, Ministry of Women Affairs (MoWA) has tried to support
the silk value chain in Afghanistan. For example in 2011, MoWA implemented a silk value chain project
in Sar-e-Pul province. However, due to lack of coordination of relevant stakeholders and lack of
technical capacity silk value the project was not able to achieve its objectives.

Two NGOs, CRDC and RADA, are actively involved in providing supported services to silk value chain
in Herat province. GIZ has also facilitated technical support to silkworms rearing by building in capacity
in silkworm rearing.

Conclusion and Recommendations:

To sum it up the findings of study shows, silk value chain provides livelihood opportunities to households
in Northern, Western and Eastern provinces and mostly women use this value chain for income generation.
However, strong support is needed from the relevant government agencies (MAIL, MoEc and MoCI) to
increase the production and extraction of silk, to improve the quality of the silk products and to better
market the silk products. Afghan silk products are exported and are sold on a number of online shopping
platforms; however, support is needed to enhance the export of the silk products. Based on the findings of
the study interventions are recommended to enhance the silk value chain in Afghanistan:

1. The ministry of agriculture and relevant NGOs do not have specific plan to promote mulberry
cultivation in silk producing provinces, therefore, it recommended to develop a plan for promotion
of mulberry cultivation in silk producing provinces
2. The most urgent is the need to regulate production, supply, distribution and trade in quality
silkworm seeds. Silkworm seeds (eggs) are supplied by the ministry of agriculture and are procured
from the open market (imported from China).
3. The Ministry of Agriculture provides laying/eggs for one cropping or rearing cycles that the Spring
season cycle (Haml and Sawar). However, the NGOs, supporting the silk producing farmers, have
enabled the farmers to have two cropping or rearing cycle in a year that is, Haml-Sawar and
Sarataan. Therefore, it is recommended to more than one rearing or cropping cycles in all parts of
the country
4. In the past government used to buy cocoons from the farmers that were then supplied to relevant
entities or people to extract silk from it. However, now cocoons are either sold in open market from
where they are exported mostly to Iran, where silk extracted from cocoons, or farmers directly sell
them to local “reelers”. Therefore, a mechanism should be established at the provincial level to
connect the cocoons producer with the entities or individuals involved in silk extraction. This
mechanism of connecting the reelers and rearers should enable all the reelers and rearers to register
themselves, to physically bring all their produce to the designated market place in the province and
to participate in the open auction conducted at the market place.
5. Mostly charkha is used to extract silk from the cocoon, however, in Herat electric powered
equipment also used to extract silk from the cocoons. Therefore, to enhance silk production
improvement in technologies at all stages of the process of silk value chain is recommended.

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 6. Increasing imports of silk fabric at low prices from China, Pakistan and India has adversely
impacted the domestic markets thereby distracting farmers and other stakeholders from sericulture
activities as it has reduced the remunerative gains for sericulturists, releers and weavers therefore
a policy to discourage the import of silk products and promote the utilization of local silk products
should be introduced
7. Establishment of a silk export promotion council for undertaking various export promotion
activities such as participation in international fairs, organizing generic promotion stalls in domestic
fairs, publicity in trade magazines, and publication of magazine “Silk Afghanistan”
8. The local products and silk products producer should be connected to the online shopping platforms
so that they can use the platform for selling their silk products. AWCCI should establish an online
platform to promote the export of the products.

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Annex 1: Key Informant Interview Tool

Key Informant Interview (Service Providers)

Introduction and Consent:

Salam !

My name is ___________________________________. I am working with Afghan

Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industries, which works to promote women
entrepreneurship and women business in Afghanistan.

We are conducting silk value chain analysis to map the value chain of the silk in
Afghanistan and define basic sub-sectors structures of the silk industry in Afghanistan.
This analysis will help in designing interventions for improving silk value chain in
Afghanistan.

We are interviewing actors involved in silk value chain (rearers, twisters, dyers,
weavers, traders), service providers (DAIL, MAIL, economic support providers) and
also assessing the business environment of silk value chain.

The interviews are conducted in Kabul, Herat and Balkh provinces. It is short
interview and will only take 30-40 minutes and if I will do audio recording to the
interview so that later on I can transcribe all your opinions in a written format.

Are you willing to participate in the interview ?

1. Yes, I am willing to participate in the interview
2. No, I am not willing to participate in the interview

We are really thankful to your for your cooperation and for your commitment to
improve silk value chain in Afghanistan.
Demographic Information:

Questions Responses
Name of the Interviewee
Province
District
Position with the Ministry
Date of Interview

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 Time of Interview

Interviewer Name

Interview Questions:

(The given questions are meant to start a discussion with the interviewee and the interviewer is instructed
to add questions and insert probing under each question so proper analysis of the silk value chain in
conducted)

1. Do you know in which part of the province or country silk worms are reared?
a. Ask about specific districts/villages
2. Over the past few years what changes has happened in rearing of silkworms, it has got better or
people are no longer interested in rearing silkworm?
a. If it has got better why? If people are not investing in business why?
3. Mulberry leaves are needed for the rearing the silkworm rearing, so over the past few years what
changes has happened to Mulberry trees?
a. Increased?
b. Decreased?
c. Do you know of an agency/entity/ministry that is focusing on increasing the Mulberry
trees in the district or province?
4. Is the ministry or directorate Agriculture or any other NGO involved in promoting rearing of
silkworms in Afghanistan?
a. If yes, can you name them?
b. What type of assistance they are providing?
5. How many cropping or rearing cycle do you have in a year?
i. Single, when?
ii. Double, when?
iii. Multiple, how many?
6. From where do silkworm rearers get the eggs for silkworm rearing?
i. Self production
ii. Open Market
iii. Imported from a specific country, please name?
7. How can the involvement of your entity be improved in the silk value chain?

Thank You for the Your Cooperation and Tim

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 Key Informant Interview (Value Chain Actors)

Introduction and Consent:

Salam!

My name is ___________________________________. I am working with Afghan Women’s

Chamber of Commerce and Industries, which works to promote women entrepreneurship and
women business in Afghanistan.

We are conducting silk value chain analysis to map the value chain of the silk in Afghanistan
and define basic sub-sectors structures of the silk industry in Afghanistan. This analysis will
help in designing interventions for improving silk value chain in Afghanistan.

We are interviewing actors involved in silk value chain (rearers, twisters, dyers, weavers,
traders), service providers (DAIL, MAIL, economic support providers) and also assessing the
business environment of silk value chain.

The interviews are conducted in Kabul, Herat and Balkh provinces. It is short interview and will
only take 30-40 minutes and if I will do audio recording to the interview so that later on I can
transcribe all your opinions in a written format.

Are you willing to participate in the interview?

3. Yes, I am willing to participate in the interview
4. No, I am not willing to participate in the interview

We are really thankful to your for your cooperation and for your commitment to improve silk
value chain in Afghanistan.

Demographic Information:

Questions Responses
Name of the Interviewee

Province
District
Profession/Position/Type of Business
Location of the Business
Date of Interview

Interviewer Name

15
Interview Questions:

(The given questions are meant to start a discussion with the interviewee and the interviewer is instructed
to add questions and insert probing under each question so proper analysis of the silk value chain in
conducted)

Section 1: Silkworm Rearing

In this section we will ask you about rearing of silk worms and suggestions to improve the conditions for
improving silkworm rearing
8. Do you know in which part of the province or country silk worms are reared?
a. Ask about specific districts/villages
9. Over the past few years what changes has happened in rearing of silkworms, it has got better or
people are no longer interested in rearing silkworm?
a. If it has got better why? If people are not investing in business why?
10. Mulberry leaves are needed for the rearing the silkworm rearing, so over the past few years what
changes has happened to Mulberry trees?
a. Increased?
b. Decreased?
c. Do you know of an agency/entity/ministry that is focusing on increasing the Mulberry
trees in the district or province?
11. Is the ministry or directorate Agriculture or any other NGO involved in promoting rearing of
silkworms in Afghanistan?
a. If yes, can you name them?
b. What type of assistance they are providing?
12. If the respondent is directly involved in rearing of silkworm then ask the below questions:
a. How many cropping or rearing cycle do you have in a year?
i. Single, when?
ii. Double, when?
iii. Multiple, how many?
b. How much do earn form-rearing silkworms?
i. Amount of money per year?
c. From where do you get the eggs from silkworm rearing?
i. Self production
ii. Open Market
iii. Imported from a specific country, please name?
d. How much is cost of packet of eggs (12 gms)?
e. If you buy it from the market or import if from a country do they have disease free
certification?
f. What types of equipment are used for rearing silkworm? (write name and take pictures)
g. From where you get the Mulberry leaves?
h. What do you do with the cocoons produced by your silkworms?
i. Sell it, ask about the price?
ii. Is it exported to Iran or Pakistan?
iii. If extract silk from it or is involved in reeling, then ask about questions of section
from?

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Section 2: Reeling of Silkworm Cocoons

In this section, I will ask about the how silk is extracted from cocoons (Ask these questions if the
respondent is involved in reeling or know about reeling)

1. From where do you get the cocoons?

2. What methods do you use to extract silk from the cocoons?
a. Traditional hand method
b. Charkha Method
c. Automatic Machine
d. …..
3. How silk is extracted? (Write the method)
4. How you received any training about extraction silk from the cocoons?
a. If yes, from where and when?
5. How you received any financial aid or loan from improving the process of extraction of silk from
cocoons?
a. If yes, from where and when?
6. Do you need any specific skills or instrument to improve extraction of silk from cocoons?
7. What do you do with the silk that produced from cocoons?
a. Sell it to market, how much is price?
i. What changes has happened to the price of raw silk in past few years?
b. Export to a country, name of the country?
c. Sell it twister, dyers?
d. Twist and dye it by myself?

Section 3: Twisters, Dyers and Weavers

In this section, I will ask twisting, dying and products that are produced from the silk.

1. Can you tell about process of twisting and dying of the raw silk thread ? (write the process and
take the pictures of equipment used in twisting and dying)
2. How you obtained any training for twisting and dying of raw silk?
a. When, where ?
3. How you obtain financial aid or financial loan for improving your business ?
a. When and from where ?
4. What do you with silk that is twisted or dyed ?
a. Sell it, ask about price ?
b. Use for weaving

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 c. Export it , name the countries ?
5. What products are produced by weaving twisted and dyed silk?
a. Carpets
b. Shawls
c. …..
6. How much is market price of each of above products?
a. Any changes occurred in the prices of products? If yes, why?
7. How are the silk products sold or supplied to the market?
8. Who are usual buyers of silk products?
a. To what markets they are supplied?
9. What equipment is used to weave silk and produce different products? (take pictures if available)
10. How can the marketing of silk products be improved ?

Section 4: Traders of Silk Products

1. What silk products do you sell ?

a. Carpets
b. Shawls
c. ….
d. ….
2. Where are these products produced?
a. Country, province, district
3. What is price of this product? (write the size and price of each mentioned product)
4. What is your profit margin in each product ? (write the profit margin of each mentioned product)

5. From where you procure them?

a. Directly from producers/weavers
b. Middle Man
c. Regional Market
6. How are they transported to your shop or to your center?
7. Are the mentioned products are purely silk made or other fibers are mixed with silk?
a. What other fibers are mixed with the silk in production of the above products?
b. Is the natural silk used in the product or synthetic silk is used?
8. Silk products produced from which part of Afghanistan has sold at higher price and why?
9. Are silk products from other countries also available? Which countries?
10. How do you compare the price of silk products of other countries with Afghan products?
11. Who are the usual buyers of products?
12. Are you exporting it to other markets? To where the silk products of Afghanistan are exported?
13. Suggestions for improving trade of Afghan silk products?

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 Thank You for the Your Cooperation and Time

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