BR Reporter
Srinagar: Even as Kashmiri willow cricket bats have grown in demand worldwide after debuting in international cricket, the lack of the raw material is playing a spoilsport.
The manufacturers claim that they are unable to meet the demand as requirement of the raw material has increased over its availability.
President, Kashmir Willow Cricket Bat Manufacturers Union, Fayaz Ahmad Dar said that the flow of raw material to around 400 factories has fallen by more than 95 per cent in the month of August and September.
“Our season begins in the month of August when around 1000 mini-trucks of willow arrive at 400 units. We have received only 57 trucks of willow so far in the last one month and it is very less,” he said.
Dar said majority of the units are not currently working on fresh orders given the immense dearth of raw material.
“We feel helpless as the flow of raw material tends to be very high during the autumn season. We learnt that willow is being used by the ply industries on a large scale, which resulted in a shortage of raw material for cricket bat industries,” he said.
As per unit holders, post-entry of Kashmir willow cricket bats in international cricket last year, the demand for these bats has grown by 60 per cent.
“We used to supply only 10 lakh cricket bats annually to various states of India. Right now, the demand has grown to 2.5 million cricket bats annually. So, many cricket playing nations have desired to use our cricket bats, ” Dar said.
At least 400 cricket bat units function in the valley, which generates a revenue of over 100 crores annually.
As per the unit holders, at least one lakh skilled and unskilled workers are associated with the cricket bat industry of the valley.
Fawzul Kabir, owner of Gr8 Sports said his exports have fallen from 5000 bats to a mere 600 monthly. “ We are providing cricket bats and other equipment to at least 19 cricket playing nations including England, Ireland, Scotland, Denmark, Norway, South Africa, USA, Canada, West Indies, Australia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Gulf countries. Right now, we are sceptical to meet the demand,” he said.
Kabir who is also spokesperson of the cricket bat manufacturers union appealed to the adminstration to initiate a willow plantation drive in wetlands and government land to save the industry.
“Last year SKUAST distributed 1500 willow saplings to the growers. It isn’t abundant and government needs to initiate a massive willow plantation rive across the valley, which will save the cricket bat industry as well as generate revenue for the government. There is a requirement of 15000 willow trees annually,” he said.
Pertinently a team of Union Ministry of Medium, Small and Micro Enterprises officials visited valley to find ways for extending support to the cricket bat industry last month.
Officials said that the government apart from enhancing the infrastructure for the industry is equally focusing to ensure the availability of raw materials for the unit holders.
After Oman national team, cricketers from six international teams including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, UAE, Bahrain, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka have agreed to use Kashmir willow bats in upcoming tournaments.
