Central Silk Board looking at domestic market

Stung by a dip in export of silk products from the country by Rs 1,000 crore last fiscal, the Central Silk Board (CSB) is now looking at the domestic market.

The export of silk products fell to Rs 2,500 crore during 2008-09 compared with Rs 3,500 crore the previous year.

“We are now expanding in the local market and diversifying the product line to woo today’s youth with fashionable clothes line and even carpets,” CSB Chairperson H Hanumanthappa told Business Standard on the sidelines of Silk Mark Expo 2009 here.

The exports contracted owing to the economic recession in the US and European markets, where bulk orders were either cancelled or downsized, he added.

India is the second-largest producer and exporter of silk products in the world after China. Of the total world production of silk at 1,30,000 tonnes annually, China accounts for 1,00,000 tonnes.

“Silk production and consumption in the country stands at 18,000 tonnes and 26,000 tonnes, respectively. The rest of raw silk is imported from China,” Hanumanthappa said.

He added that since 6 million people were employed in silk trade, there was an urgent need to increase silk production in the country and popularise its products.

The board has also started branding of silk products sold in select outlets to assure consumers of genuine silk garments.

Karnataka is the leading silk producing state accounting for almost 50 per cent of the domestic production.

While the consumption of silk in Uttar Pradesh is roughly 5,000 tonnes, the production is merely 50 tonnes. There are 160 government farms for mulberry silk culture in the state.

During the present 11th Five-Year Plan, Rs 1,200 crore budget would be spent on augmenting silk trade in India.

“Of the Rs 1,200 crore, the share of CSB would be Rs 662 crore,” Silk Mark Organisation of India CEO K Sukumar Menon said.

Silk Mark Expo was inaugurated by Uttar Pradesh Governor B L Joshi. It seeks to create awareness about silk and promote silk products.