Dye production is one of the old crafts that are facing the threat of extinction due to many reasons. However, a university don has advocated that government and people get involved in the trade to open it up for international market. YEJIDE GBENGA-OGUNDARE reports.
Dr Bayo Adebowale, the founder and director of African Heritage Research Library and Cultural Center, has called on government to give incentives to dye producers and also get involved in the various operational levels of production to make it viable as a source of income generation for states.
He stated that when practitioners are given incentives and granted loan facilities as capitals and ministries play vital roles in the resuscitation and promotion of the craft of dye production, the sector will open up as a source of job creation and a source of revenue generation.
“Our ministries of industries, trades and cooperatives also have vital roles to play in the resuscitation and promotion of the craft. Government should provide the necessary amenities to the rural communities where dye producers and practitioners are majorly based, in order to put a check on urban migration and also address the issue of aggressive marketing strategies for the indigo dye production.
“The economic importance of the indigo dye craft can spread from individual practitioners to the local government. Individuals can secure regular income through sales of the products to the community people in village and town markets. The craft can provide job opportunities for school dropouts, non-literate and even educated elites at various levels,” he said.
According to him, if government assists people engaged in the craft of dye making, the scourge of poverty and unemployment will be reduced among the people as massive production will open practitioners up to export opportunities and the international community and also improve the economic base of the business.
“If the necessary aid is given to the craft, the attention of the world will be drawn to it like the present day modern adire which is in vogue among our fashion-conscious people in the country and all over Europe and America.
He said the indigo dyeing craft is not celebrated as modern adire for various reasons which includes the fact it is traditionally hand-made and hand crafted and consequently slow to produce and the fact that the marketing strategy for dye production concentrates mainly on the local village markets and small town commercial centers.
Other reasons he said includes the fact that local raw materials and plants are getting extinct and difficult to come by and more women concentrate more on fast money spinning ventures and the inimical effect of the rural-urban migration of rural folks on local enterprise as well as absence of government’s involvement in dye production.
Dr Adebowale expressed the belief that if dye production is opened up, it will aid self reliance among youths and create small scale opportunities for people as it is a goldmine that should not be laid to waste.