Tussar take-off to Germany

Well, Germans, it is not simply seide. Jharkhand's silks have specific names such as tussar and kuchai, which German tongues will probably practise pronouncing, thanks to Jharcraft.

The state's silk and handicraft development corporation will be at BioFach 2012, one of the world's most reputable organic trade fairs, in Nuremberg, Germany, between February 15 and 18.

India is the 'country of the year' in the 2012 edition of the fair. Around 40 exhibitors from the country are expected to take part in the event in a 900sqm hall, one being Jharcraft, which has already been allotted an 18sqm display area.

APEDA (Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority), under the Union ministry of commerce and industry, is managing and monitoring India's participation at the global fair.

In all, the four-day event will showcase 1,800 exporters and exhibitors. So is Jharcraft confident of making a mark among 1,799 others?

Managing director Dhirendra Kumar, headed for Germany, sounded confident.

"I am preparing for the forthcoming international trade fair at Germany. If everything goes off well, as we hope it does, Jharcraft may end up getting buyers from across the world for organic silks and handicraft products," Kumar said, busy with visa formalities.

In fact, Jharcraft has already supplied 1,800 bags, 500-600 ties and some saris to APEDA, which the latter will distribute to participants of the fair as goodwill gifts.

"We are confident that German buyers will like the texture and feel of our silks," said Kumar. "We have exported our weaves to Germany earlier. At present we send our products to the US, the UK, France, Turkey, Germany, Malaysia, Greece and China, either directly or through exporters."

Organic products such as tussar and kuchai ' a variant of tussar yarn grown in the Kuchai area of Seraikela-Kharsawan ' and others such as mulberry silk that Jharcraft promotes and markets have the OneCert Asia seal. It makes Jharcraft at ease with the global mart.

In the last leg of the year, it will also take part at the Bangalore international organic trade fair between November 29 and December 1, 2012, where BioFach (India) will team up with India Organic. It promises to be grander, with over 3,000 trade visitors.