The government is actively engaged in efforts to revive the renowned ‘Dhakai Muslin’ through commercial production, with the goal of revitalizing this heritage fabric, generating employment opportunities, and accessing global markets, as shared by State Minister for Textiles and Jute, Md Shariful Alam.
During a seminar in Dhaka, Minister Alam highlighted the successful restoration of the fabric’s production technology, which had been lost for around 170 years. The focus now shifts towards enhancing the quality of cotton utilized in muslin production and adapting the textile for broader commercial utilization.
The seminar, themed “Dhakai Futi Karpas Fiber Genomics and Development”, convened at the CIRDAP Auditorium to explore methods for enhancing the varieties of Futi Karpas, the cotton essential for muslin fabrication.
This event marked the continuation of the second phase of the project aimed at reinstating the technology for manufacturing muslin yarn and fabric, spearheaded by the Bangladesh Handloom Board under the Ministry of Textiles and Jute.
Shariful emphasized the significance of Dhakai Muslin, portraying it as a symbol of heritage and regal heritage, expressing confidence in its imminent comeback, heralding a return to its former glory.
Sharf Uddin Ahmed Choudhury, the Textiles and Jute Secretary, outlined ongoing research efforts within the project, focusing on developing Futi Karpas variants that are less reliant on daylight duration, offer increased cotton yields, and feature larger cotton bolls with reduced seed count.
In addition to addressing plant height control, research endeavors aim to elevate the finesse and quality of muslin yarn, refining the processes involved in fabric preparation, weaving, and finishing.
Chairman of the Handloom Board, Md Jakir Hossan, highlighted the progress achieved through intensive training and research, showcasing advancements from producing 80 metric count yarn to an impressive 750 metric count.
Project Director Md Ayub Ali noted the completion of the initial phase at a cost of Tk 12.10 crore, successfully reinstating the technology for Dhakai Muslin production after nearly two centuries. The ongoing second phase is allocated a budget of Tk 18.50 crore.
Ahmed Mohamed Abdelmoghny Abdulbaky, Chief Researcher at Egypt’s Cotton Breeding Department, also participated in the seminar as a discussant, contributing valuable insights to the discussions.
