Azerbaijan National Academy of Science

Development of sericulture is connected with to the North-West region of ancient history and rich traditions, especially the name of Shaki. The silk traditions preserved over the centuries, developed and played an important role in the life of the domestic population. The development of sericulture in Shaki, its economic usage has been proved through extensive archeological researches.

Earlier, breeding factories, workshops for entrepreneurs were engaged in silkworm in Shaki (Nukha) in a limited way. Later this valuable product, shaky reputation of silk spread in the country and abroad, the demand for these products started to rise. Shaki, was one of the centers of sericulture not only in Azerbaijan, in the region, and it is also reflected in the city's coat of arms.

Shaki’s silk always maintained its popularity in the world market, cocoon in this region highly valued in silk thread. With the development of sericulture in Shaki, specialized custom layer has been formed in the region, who adopted its technology and production.

Location of Azerbaijan on the historical "Great Silk Road" lead to development of a country in whole, emerging of his sector in Shaki as well as enhancing of trade and economic ties via other countries. Archaeological evidence shows that the people of ancient Caucasian Albania were engaged in silkworm breeding in the temple lands.

In the XVIII-XIX centuries, sericulture has reached its highest point of development in Shaki. During these years, 9-10 thousand tons of fresh cocoons produced each year and silk products have been exported mainly to Russia and from there to the European countries. In particular, the product of silk produced in Shaki distinguishes by its quality, and highly valued in foreign markets. For the first time silk factory was built in Shaki, 1829 and since 1830 silk has been manufactured there.

In Soviet times, taking into account exceptional role of sericulture in socio-economic and cultural life of Shaki-Zagatala region, third huge silk factory in the former USSR and the only in Caucasus for its production capacity was established in Shaki.

60-70-ies of the last century, silk production re-developed was produced 7800 tons of fresh cocoons. In 70-80 years sericulture was scoped in our country, including especially in Shaki. In those years 5-6 thousand tons of fresh cocoons and 350-400 tons of raw silk from them were manufactured and varied millions of square meters silk fabrics were woven.

In 2005, the Silk Association of the Black and Caspian Seas and Central Asia (BASCA) was created. Along with attracting resources from major responsibilities in the organization also includes the implementation of projects related to sericulture and provision of bilateral and multilateral cooperation. In April 2016 the director of Shaki Regional Scientific Center of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, Associate Professor Yusuf Shukurlu was elected BACSA national coordinator for Azerbaijan and member of the Executive Committee. According to the decision of Association, 8th International Conference will be held in 2017, Shaki.

Having 1500 years of history in our country sericulture today is one of the most developed areas. In 2015 the specialists of Shaki Regional Scientific Center have developed "Concept of development of sericulture as industry in the Northwest region of Azerbaijan” and submitted to the Presidium of ANAS and Executive Power of Shaki. The concept provides for restoration of the former glory of the national-cultural art of Azerbaijan - sericulture, the use of innovative approaches, referring to international experience, as well as the development of sericulture by using new advanced technologies. The main purpose of the signing of the document is to provide a barn for mulberry silkworm seeds at Shaki Regional Scientific Center of ANAS, the adoption of the State Program for the Development of Sericulture, equipping institutions involved in the cultivation of silkworm seeds via the latest equipment, provide training of high-quality seed varieties. The objectives of the concept include the study of international experience and achievements in the field of sericulture and the expansion of activities in the field of application of innovation, assisting the organization of production corresponding to the international standards of competitive, high-quality production of silk and control over it, the expansion of research in this area.

Introduced concept also defines such areas as training in the use of intensive methods in the process of creation and cultivation of mulberry gardens, training in the field of agro-technical care of mulberry gardens, the fight against pests and diseases, treatment of silkworm seeds.

Currently, with a view to the application of advanced technologies in the world, the use of domestic and foreign species of silkworm with artificial feed, including ensuring the participation of experts in qualified courses abroad in order to exchange experiences are the measures provided for in the framework of international cooperation.

©All rights are reserved. Citing to www.science.gov.az is necessary upon using news.