SRINAGAR: The Handicrafts and Handloom Department Kashmir has obtained cutting-edge OFDA 4000 equipment, which is a significant step towards the testing and validation of Pashmina.
Director Handicrafts and Handlooms Kashmir, Mahmood Ahmad Shah on Wednesday, inaugurated the commissioning of this equipment at the Pashmina Testing and Quality Certification Centre located in Bagh e Ali Mardan Khan Nowshera, Srinagar.
During the inauguration, the Director was informed that the equipment is exceptional and its availability will improve the testing procedure for Pashmina and other fibers’ classification. Additionally, he was advised that the equipment’s testing results are more precise and would significantly decrease the time needed for testing and certifying Pashmina.
The commissioning of the OFDA 4000 equipment in the UT of J&K is a significant milestone as it is the first of its kind in the region. The availability of this facility for testing with OFDA 4000 is limited across the country. The equipment is capable of testing over 40,000 fibres in under a minute, allowing it to determine critical characteristics of the fibre, such as micron, length, and crimp. The equipment can also test Pashmina fibre, yarn, and fabric, making the testing process more straightforward and hassle-free.
The OFDA 4000’s availability is set to give a significant boost to the labelling of Pashmina-based GI crafts, particularly Pashmina, Kani, and Sozni, resulting in widespread use of GI-certified products and curbing counterfeit Pashmina. Furthermore, the equipment’s availability will not only help secure the future of the handmade Pashmina sector in J&K but also significantly increase the earning potential of the artisans involved in Pashmina craft.
On this occasion, Hebert Hornik from Hornik Fibertech trained the staff of the Handicrafts and Handloom Department and Pashmina Testing Centre on the equipment’s operation and maintenance. The Department plans to hold awareness camps on GI testing and labelling to ensure that Pashmina sector stakeholders can take advantage of the facility.
