Silk industry in Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan has known as the largest silk farming country in the East since ancient times. Shirvan was the largest silk farming region in Azerbaijan. Moreover, the population in Shamakhi, Basgal, Ganja, Shaki, and Shusha was engaged in silk production as well. Patterned, ornamental silk female kerchiefs were produced in these regions. Silk production was one of the main activities both in ancient and modern times. According to the presumptions, people were being engaged in silk production about more than 2,000 years.[1][2][3]

Shirvan

The silk produced in Shirvan was already known in different countries such as Russia and Western Europe by the 11th and 12th centuries. At that time, much more silk was exported to Russia, Iraq, Syria and other countries from Shamakhi. Shirvan maintained its dominance in silk production in the Near East in the XVI-XVII centuries. The most part of the Shirvan silk still used to be exported to Asia and European countries. Besides the exported silk, the most part of the product was used for silk weaving. Adam Olearius who visited Azerbaijan in the 30s years of the XVII century wrote that 10-20 thousands packs of raw materials were collected per year. 3000 packs belonged to Shirvan, 2000 packs belonged to Garabagh ( each pack was approximately 5,5 poods). It means 16,5 thousands poods of raw material were produced in Shirvan, but 11thousands poods in Garabagh.[4][5]

Shaki

Archeological investigations carried out in Shaki proved that silk production was the ancient and main household activity in this area.

Shaki was considered as one of the large silk producing city and weaving center not only in Azerbaijan but also in the Near and Middle East. Development of the silk production connected this old city to the caravan routes which affected the construction of new caravanserais, development of trade and mastership. The silk plant began to operate in 1931 in Shaki which was one of the silk industry enterprises in the former USSR.

In the 70-80s years of the last century, 5-6 thousands tons of wet cocoon and 350-400 tons of raw silk was produced, different kinds of silk textile in 10millions square meters were being knitted. More than 150 thousands of families were engaged in bombyx feeding and cocoon production. At that time, more than 14,000 people worked in the silk industry of Azerbaijan, as well as 7,000 people were permanent employees of “Shaki-Silk” plant. Azerbaijan was in the second place for cocoon production in the former soviet union after Uzbekistan but was on the first place for the quality of the produced silk. “Shaki-Silk” plant used to send silk textile to the 75 enterprises of USSR, as well as silk thread to the 84 enterprises. Textiles made by silk produced in Shaki were exported to Japan, Switzerland, Italy, and other foreign countries.

At the beginning of the 90s of the last century, during the period when Azerbaijan gained its independence for the second time, the recession was observed in some areas including the silk industry. As a result, economic relations established over many years were lost. During these years, 2 silk producing stations, 7 cocoon seed plants, nearly 30 cocoon drying rooms, about 80 points for cocoon primary processing, as well as company “Shaki-Silk”, Ordubad spinning mill stopped their production. As a result, 10 thousands of people lost their workplace. The 1500 years old Azerbaijan silking industry was in danger of being destroyed.

After privatization of the company, “Parvana” LLC which was the winner of investment competition on stocks of “Shaki-Silk” OSJC, began to organize development program in order to expand activities and develop silkworm breeding. A big amount of capital was invested in the company, production workshops were reconstructed, new technologies were applied in the production, additional facilities and tools were installed in workshops.

In order to improve the quality of the product, reconstruction work was carried out in 2008. 4 spinning mills produced in China, 4 silkworm winding, new tools, vacuum apparatus were installed in the workshop. After reconstruction labor productivity increased 6-7 times, as well as production power for 2,5 times. In the same year, new production area – cotton spinning workshop with the 1740 tons of power launched its production. As a result of the activities, the number of employees in the company increased to 1500.[1][4]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Sheki: Azerbaijan's Silk Road city of caravans and khans". CNN Travel. 2018-07-31. Retrieved 2018-09-08.
  2. ↑ "Silk roads: Azerbaijan".
  3. ↑ "Azerbaijan in the Silk Road Economic Belt: A Chinese Perspective". www.ciis.org.cn. Retrieved 2018-09-08.
  4. 1 2 "Azerbaijan national sericulture development plan :: The Black, Caspian Seas and Central Asia Silk Association (BACSA)". www.bacsa-silk.org. Retrieved 2018-09-08.
  5. ↑ "THE ROLE OF SILK ROAD IN FORMATION OF MULTICULTURAL ENVIRONMENT IN THE REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN" (PDF).
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