Sericulture farming on verge of extinction

Dipender Manta

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Tribune News Service

Mandi, July 31

Sericulture Department is struggling hard to revive sericulture farming in Mandi district. Sericulture is on the verge of extinction as farmers are incurring losses because of tough competition from China, which was marketing raw silk at much lower rates in the Indian markets.

Data procured from the Sericulture Department revealed that the number of sericulture farmers was 1,600 during the year 2015-16, which has now increased to 2,500. They are directly involved in silkworm cocoon production in various parts of the district.

Despite higher demand of raw material in the Indian market, this year only 20,000 kg green cocoon was produced in the district. This is pressurizing authorities concerned to motivate more farmers to take up cocoon production to meet the demand of market. There was a time, when Mandi district was well known for cocoon production in the state but with the passage of time the glory started to fade as a majority of farmers switched to other fields of farming to sustain their economy.

According to Mandi Sericulture Officer Vijay Chaudhari, sericulture farming may prove boon to enhance the economy of farmers as the department was providing 90 per cent subsidy for its cultivation. The department was providing mulberry trees as well as silk worm for the purpose.

“Due to diversification in the agriculture sector, a majority of farmers have taken to vegetable and fruit cultivation in the district. However, if they adopt sericulture farming, they will get addition income,” he added.

“This year farmers got good price for their produce. However, due to climatic variation and disease attack on mulberry trees, the production was affected up to 50 per cent, which was a big blow to farmers,” he remarked.

He said the key motive was to engage more and more farmers in this profession and train them in sericulture farming, which will generate self-employment at the grassroots level.

“At present, we have high demand for raw material, especially from West Bengal, and if we succeed in our mission to increase production, the department will focus on setting up a weaving and reeling centre of silk in the district,” he said. At present, chief raw silk producing regions in India are Karnataka, Andhra, Kashmir, West Bengal, Bihar and Jharkhand.

What the data says

• The number of sericulture farmers was 1,600 during the year 2015-16, which has now increased to 2,500. They are directly involved in silkworm cocoon production in various parts of the district.
• Despite higher demand of raw material in the Indian market, this year only 20,000 kg green cocoon was produced in the district. This is pressurizing authorities concerned to motivate more farmers to take up cocoon production to meet the demand of market.