FAIZABAD (SW) – A number of blacksmiths and carpenters in Badakhshan say that the industry of the blacksmithing and carpentry in the province has lost its past glory and is facing stagnation.
Hasanullah, who inherited blacksmithing from his father and has 10 years of experience in this sector, says that his work and income have decreased by 50% in recent years compared to the past. He said: “There have been many changes. In the past, there was a lot of work and we had a lot of buying and selling, but now it is very slow. Nearly 50% of our work has decreased.”
Rostam, another blacksmith, says that the import of similar materials from other countries and the reluctance of Badakhshan residents to buy iron materials has reduced their work. He adds: “From Pakistan and other countries, they bring shovels and other types of iron. Another problem is that people in Badakhshan are not interested in buying iron materials, that’s why our work is less than in the past.”
On the other hand, a number of carpenters in Badakhshan, expressing concern about the slowdown in their labor market, say that if the woodworking industry in this province is not paid attention to, this industry will be worst affected.
Sayad, a carpenter, says that the decrease in the economic ability of the residents of Badakhshan has caused their work to slowdown. “The work situation is not good, because the people’s economy is weak and they cannot order things for their homes. In the past, the economic situation of the people and our work was good, but now it has changed.”
Ziaullah, another carpenter, says that the high price of materials needed for carpentry has also reduced their work and income. “During the republic, for example, we used to buy a slab of timber wit 18 x 18 dimension for 3,700 afghanis, but now it is 5400 to 5500 afghanis.”
These craftsmen want the Badakhshan Directorate of Commerce and Industry to take serious measures to revive the blacksmith and carpentry industry.
Samaruddin Rahmani, the general director of enterprises of the directorate, stated that this department works to keep the old industries and supports the industrialists. Rahmani added: “It is one of our policies to revive and grow the forgotten industries that are historically old, such as blacksmithing, coppersmith industry, and goldsmith industry.”
Blacksmithing and carpentry are one of the old industries in Afghanistan; Blacksmiths and carpenters in a number of provinces use iron and wood to make the tools needed for agriculture and houses.
