A Jharcraft store in Ranchi

Jharcraft’s silken success is going to wrap Germans in warm comfort if a deal that the state-run corporation is hoping to seal finally works out.

A German firm dealing in organic textile products has recently approached Jharcraft, whose silk products have bagged an organic tag from Onecert Asia Agri Certification Private Limited, with a demand of 10 metric tonne of silk waste every year.

The firm — the Jharcraft authorities refused to disclose the name before the agreement is finalised — manufactures quilt out of silk waste, which is primarily uneven threads of silk.

“A team from the German company will visit Jharkhand some time in June-July after monsoon sets in. They have mailed us with their intention to purchase silk waste in good quantity from Jharcraft every year,” said Jharcraft managing director Dhirendra Kumar. He added that they would demand Rs 800-1,000 per kilogram of silk waste, which, otherwise, fetched lower prices in the Indian market.

Silk, mainly the tussar variety, is grown in natural conditions in Jharkhand, primarily in Singhbhum-Kolhan and Santhal Pargana commissionary area where lakhs of farmers, primarily tribals, are associated with the trade. Jharcraft’s brand of kuchai silk is considered one of the best with the organic tag. It is grown in Seraikela-Kharsawan and West Singhbhum.

The German delegation will also visit some of the silk-rearing places to see for themselves that it is grown organically in the state besides getting a first-hand feel.

Kumar further revealed that Jharcraft is in talks with a US firm for supply of fine quality silk, which is used along with wax for treatment of sinus.

Another good news is that the corporation is set to open a mega store in Ranchi, opposite hotel Radisson Blu and Big Bazar on Main road. The sprawling 12,000-square feet facility, divided into three floors, is likely to be inaugurated by chief minister Arjun Munda soon.

Jharcraft achieved a turnover of Rs 70 crore in the 2011-12 fiscal, a far cry from the meagre Rs 50 lakh that the corporation recorded when it was created in 2007-08. Besides setting up emporiums and stores in Calcutta, Ranchi and Ahmedabad among other places, Jharcraft supplies silk and handicraft to many countries like Germany and Turkey.