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Sericulture
Introduction India continues to be the second largest producer of silk in the world. Among the four varieties of silk produced, as in 1998-99, mulberry accounted for 91.7%, eri 6.2%, tasar 1.6% and muga 0.5% of the total raw silk production in the country. Sericulture is an
important labour-intensive and agro-based cottage industry, providing gainful
occupation to a little more than six million persons in the rural and semi-urban
areas in India. Of these, a sizeable number of workers belong to the economically
weaker sections of society. There is substantial involvement of women in
this industry.
PHYSICAL PROGRESS The physical progress
is as under:
CENTRAL SILK BOARD The Central Silk
Board (CSB) was constituted by an Act of Parliament in 1949. The Board
currently provides Research & Development, Training, Extension and
Basic Seed support to industry. It also discharges the function of certifying
silk goods for export and extends support to States in the form of joint
projects and offer of developmental schemes.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT The main Research & Training Institutes of the CSB function to provide R&D and Training support for the development of sericulture. The Institutes at Mysore (Karnataka), Berhampore (West Bengal) and Pampore(J&K) deal with mulberry sericulture and the one at Ranchi(Bihar) deals with Tasar. A Research Institute has been established at Ladoigarh Jorhat (Assam) for Muga and Eri. Regional Sericultural Research Stations (RSRS) for mulberry and non-mulberry have been tackling the regional field issues of the industry. Besides, a network of Research Extension Centres for mulberry and non-mulberry also function to disseminate research findings. In order to provide R&D support in post-cocoon technology, the Board has established a Central Silk Technological Research Institute (CSTRI) at Bangalore. CSB has also set up a Silkworm Seed Technology Laboratory (SSTL) in Bangalore (Karnataka), a Silkworm & Mulberry Germplasm Station (SMGS) at Hosur (Tamil Nadu) and a Seri-Biotechnology Laboratory (SBRL) at Bangalore. Research work on the on-farm side is directed mainly to evolve mulberry varieties, which give high leaf yield with stress tolerance, breeding superior silkworm races, besides evolving improved techniques of silkworm rearing, control of pests and diseases of both mulberry and silkworms. During the year 1998-99, 4 silkworm hybrids were tested at the Race Authorization Test Centres of which 2 silkworm hybrids, were authorised. The National Research Development Corporation (NRDC) has offered the bed disinfectant "Vijetha" to M/s. Vetcare, Bangalore for commercialisation and sales of the same have commenced. Two other products are in the process of commercialisation by NRDC. Patenting of fifteen technologies in pre and post cocoon areas is being followed up by NRDC. Thirteen new technologies in post-cocoon sector and from the pre-cocoon areas are expected to be offered to NRDC for patenting in the course of the year. Five consultancy services were undertaken by CSB to Govt. and Private agencies. Research work on tasar, muga and eri silk is directed towards improvement of productivity potential and to develop an Integrated Pest Management Technique for prevention of pests. Under in-situ condition, 5 Eco-races of tasar have been raised under different habitats for adaptability. An integrated technology for grainage operation, covering preservation, oviposition, incubation and transportation of eggs has been developed for tasar culture, and it is under process for patenting. An integrated package of rearing (IPR) tasar silkworm has been developed. An oviposition device has been developed in case of muga culture and field trials are being conducted. On the post-cocoon side, efforts are being made to popularise a multiend reeling package for reeling quality silk from bivoltine and crossbreed cocoons, as per a scheme sanctioned by Govt. of India during July, 1997. Around 50 entrepreneurs, who have applied for the machinery so far are expected to obtain equipment supply. The Central Silk Technological Research Institute, Bangalore has also fabricated a low-cost multifuel drying chamber, a tail end cutter and slit buttons which are being field tested. Silk knitted fabrics i.e., pique, interlock, single and double jersey, plaited fabrics have been developed and are being analysed for various fabric properties. The Research Institutes of CSB have developed low-cost improved pedal-cum-motorised reeling-cum-twisting devices for tasar and muga and improved spinning wheel for muga and eri, which will produce better quality silk/spun yarn with less wastage, thereby fetching better income. These improved reeling/spinning devices are being popularised through the Demonstration-cum-Technical Service Centres and through NGOs/ Co-operatives under the CDP programmes, being implemented in the Ninth Plan. A network of Demonstration-cum-Technical Service Centres imparts training in silk reeling and spinning. In some important weaving centres, these Centres also provide technical services in post cocoon areas. Besides these, Silk Conditioning & Testing Houses are functioning for testing of raw silk. Eco-Testing laboratories at Bangalore, Jammu, Varanasi & Bhagalpur have commenced trial testing of physical, chemical and eco-parameters of textile products. A second phase project of five year duration initiated from 1.4.1997 with assistance from the Japanese International Co-operation Agency (JICA) for verification of technologies evolved in the first phase and for demonstration of bivoltine technology packages is in progress. Under the project, JICA has made available, so far in the second phase, the services of 1 Team Leader, 1 Coordinator, 6 Long-Term Experts, 16 Short-Term Experts and accepted 17 Indian scientists for training under the counterpart training component. In the year 1997-98, two bivoltine technology verification trials, in 1998-99 three bivoltine technology verification trials and during 1999-2000 (till Dec’99) two bivoltine technology verification trials with the identified farmers have been conducted and the performance of cocoon crops have shown gradual improvement. In the first phase,
JICA made available 12 long-term experts, 28 short-term experts and trained
28 counterparts, apart from providing equipment valued about 321 million
Japanese Yen.
SILKWORM SEED ORGANISATION Under the National
Silkworm Seed Project, a network of Basic Seed Farms (BSF) (to produce
and supply the basic seed for production of commercial silkworm seed by
CSB and State department units) and Silkworm Seed Production Centres (SSPC)
are functioning in different States to support industry. These Commercial
Silkworm Seed Production Centres have produced 169.71 lakh dfls (Disease
free layings) during 1999-2000 (upto Dec’99). Similarly, on the tasar side,
the CSB has established 19 Basic Seed Multiplication & Training Centres(BSM&TC)
with 3 sub-units and one CTSSS for supply of tropical tasar basic seed
and 1 oak tasar grainage and 3 BSM&TCs for supply of oak tasar basic
seed. Under muga sector, 7 Basic Seed Farms(BSF) and 2 Silkworm Seed Production
Centres are functioning. For production and supply of eri seed, CSB has
established 1 Silkworm Seed Production Centre. In the year 1999-2000 (upto
Dec’99) 8.90 lakh tasar basic seed, 0.50 lakh oak tasar basic seed and
0.71 lakh muga basic seed have been produced and supplied to states. The
muga and eri SSPCs have produced upto Dec’99, (in the year 1999-2000),
0.28 lakh & 0.32 lakh commercial seed respectively.
TRAINING The CSB organizes
a number of training programmes at its Research and Training Institutes.
The total number of persons trained during 1998-99 and 1999-2000 (upto
Dec’99) is as under :
CATALYTIC DEVELOPMENT SCHEMES INITIATED DURING IX PLAN (1997 - 2002) Based on the suggestions of the Working Group for IX Plan and findings of several studies, the profile of the developmental schemes of the CSB for the IX Plan have been substantially altered. Thirty six catalytic schemes of the CSB had received approval from July, 97 to November, 1998 at a cost of Rs. 89.27 crore. These are targetted to motivate State efforts towards productivity, quality and market support. Central Silk Board has so far received and approved upto 31.12.99, 253 proposals from 24 States for a total value of Rs.90.35 crore of which CSB’s share is Rs.49.25 crore under the above schemes. The States have initiated implementation of these schemes in 1998-99. The CSB is also implementing
joint projects for development of sericulture in specific areas. These
are discussed hereunder.
POORVANCHAL SERICULTURE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT IN UTTAR PRADESH A Poorvanchal Sericulture Development Project is being implemented jointly by Central Silk Board and the Department of Sericulture, Govt. of Utter Pradesh in three Eastern Districts viz. Varanasi, Gazipur and Bhadohi at a total cost of Rs.5.64 crore between 1993-94 and June, 2000. Of the total project cost, Rs.3.014 crore is borne by Central Silk Board and the remaining Rs. 2.627 crore by the Govt. of Uttar Pradesh. The project envisages raising of 3000 acres of mulberry plantation. The project also envisages an incremental raw silk production of 77.1 metric tons by the end of the project period. An expenditure of Rs.2.91 crore has been booked upto Dec’ 1999 under the Central and State share. Under the project, 8 TSCs, 18 CRCs, 1 REC, 1 Cocoon Market, 3 Project Sub-Offices and 1 Project Monitoring Cell have also been set up besides strengthening of 2 State grainages. The REC at Varanasi set up under the project has been organizing regular field days and demonstrations of package of practices for mulberry cultivation, silkworm rearing and disease control, and has from inception (1993-94) upto Dec’99, organised training for 552 farmers and taken 114 farmers on study tour. The plantation raised
upto March, 1999 is of the order of 1935 acres and the CSB has fielded
the extension team.
ACTION-PLAN FOR NORTH EASTERN STATES The Central Silk Board, in collaboration with the 7 North Eastern States has launched during 1995-96, an Action Plan for intensifying mulberry sericulture development in the North Eastern region at a total cost of Rs.12.89 crore, of which, CSB’s share is Rs. 6.03 crore. The States other than Tripura bear Rs.2.31 crore. The State of Tripura has an assistance of Rs.1.31 crore. In addition a contribution of Rs.3.24 crore for the Action Plan was also received from Ministry of Human Resource Development. Completion of the project is to result in expansion of mulberry plantations by 7000 acres to produce 73.26 metric tons of raw silk and employment to 28,000 persons (excluding Meghalaya State which did not sign the MoU.). Under the mulberry component of the Action Plan, 5598 acres of mulberry plantation has been raised upto March, 1999, besides setting up 6 Project Offices and 1 REC. 9318 farmers and 390 reelers have been trained. 1909 nos. rearing kits were supplied to farmers. This apart, trainers’ training has been imparted to 66 persons. One P2 Farm-cum-Grainage is being established at Tripura. An expenditure of Rs.390.96 lakh was incurred upto the end of March’ 1999. As per the original sanction of Govt. of India the NE Action Plan was to be completed by 1997-98. However, the targets could not be achieved due to late initiation of the Action Plan. In order to achieve the targets envisaged under the NE Action Plan, Govt. of India extended the Action Plan for one more year, i.e. till end of March’99. However there has been shortfall even at the extended period, mainly due to prevailing law and order situation and floods in some States. In Assam sanction of IRDP loan was a constraint. Besides, there have also been procedural delays which hindered implementation of a few schemes. In view of these reasons and on a request from concerned States, Govt. of India have sanctioned extension of the NE Action Plan for one more year during 1999-2000 (till 31 st March 2000), to enable the States to gap fill and stabilize mulberry plantation, strengthen marketing systems and reeling practices with the revolving fund and reeling machinery assistance of CSB and supply of rearing kits for the stable plantation and the plantation raised and stabilised in 1999-2000. A provision of Rs.50.00 lakh is earmarked for this extended period. Under the non-mulberry
part of the Action Plan, the following components were completed in 1996-97
at a cost of Rs.3.12 crore in the VIII Plan Period.
MUGA a) Augmentation of muga food plants. b) Establishment of 2 muga SSPCs. c) Survey of muga growing areas. d) Product Development and Diversification of muga.
ERI a) Augmentation of eri food plants. b) Establishment of one eri SSPC. c) Product Development and Domestic Marketing of eri. d) Assistance to
Agencies for Marketing of eri cocoons.
SILK EXPORTS To enable exporters of silk goods access to quality silk at international prices, the Government has allowed silk exporters the facility to import raw material requirements on duty-free basis under the Advance Licensing Scheme(ALS). In addition to this imports of raw silk of Grade 2 A and above have been brought under Canalisation by designated agencies to make available quality silk for warp yarn in powerloom and also for handloom sector. The liberalised input output norms have been continued in the current policy with a marginal increase for garments exports. Rationalised value addition has also been continued without any change. Under EPCG "Zero Duty Scheme", the threshold level for duty exemption on import of capital goods is from Rs.1 crore. Total silk export earnings during the years 1996-97, 1997-98, 1998-99 and 1999-2000 (upto Dec’99) is as follows: (Rs. Crore)
* Direct exports
without CENTRAL SILK BOARD certification under DEPB Scheme.
ISEPC The Indian Silk Export Promotion Council (ISEPC), Mumbai continues to undertake activities relating to promotion of exports of natural silk goods from India and to act as the registering authority for silk exporters. The Council produces and disseminates information to its members about market developments in the world, changes in the trade policies etc. through its weekly bulletin known as the "SILK NET". The silk sample catalogues containing sample swaches of the full range of silks available in India brought out by the Council are available to potential buyer, importing textile agents and Indian Missions abroad. Sub-programme on non-mulberry silk, cane & bamboo, angora wool, jute and carpets under Country Cooperation Framework-I (CCF-I):- Under Country Cooperation Framework-I (CCF-I) UNDP Programme developmental programmes are being undertaken in the sectors covering jute, angora wool, non-mulberry silk, carpet and cane & bamboo. These sub-programmes will focus on gender equity, human and social development, sustainable employment and income generation, strengthening infrastructure and capacity building and would be implemented over a period of three years (1999-2002) at different locations in India. Special emphasis will be given on covering beneficiaries belonging to backward classes. In respect of programmes for non-mulberry silk and cane & bamboo the thrust would be on maximum coverage in the North Eastern States. The project area
for each programme & financial outlay are indicated in the table given
below:
MISCELLANEOUS To plan for optimal use of infrastructure created under the NSP and reassess the manpower requirements of CSB, Ministry of Textiles has commissioned a study by National Institute of Science Technology & Development Studies (NISTADS). NISTADS has submitted
its final report on "Optimum utilisation of Infrastructure and Manpower
of CENTRAL SILK BOARD " to the Ministry. The Ministry in turn has constituted
a Committee to study the report and give its recommendations.
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