K'taka chalks out Rs 225cr plan to boost sericulture

Karnataka, the largest silk producer in the country which witnessed a downtrend in recent times owing to influx of cheaper Chinese silk, has chalked out a Rs 225-crore comprehensive plan to promote sericulture in the state. The plan will be implemented over the next five years.

Announcing this at a press conference here on Wednesday, Karnataka's small scale industries and sericulture minister Katta Subrahmanyam Naidu said that Rs 45 crore had been released by the government to implement the plan this year.

"The move is to counter the cheap Chinese silk, which is being imported in huge quantities into our country. In the process, domestic silk producers have been seriously hit. Sericulture, being one of the ancient industries in the state, has to be rejuvenated," he added.

Karnataka accounts for nearly 60 per cent of India's total silk production. "At present, mulberry cultivation is spread over 88,000 acres. Over the next five years, we intend to bring 1.60 lakh acres of land under mulberry cultivation in the state," Naidu said.

Silkworm rearing and mulberry cultivation is popular in South Karnataka districts. "In recent times, farmers from North and central Karnataka are showing interest in silk production. We intend to popularise sericulture in these areas by offering incentives and intensive training programmes," the minister said.

As part of the five-year plan, small and medium farmers, engaged in sericulture, will be given subsidy in various aspects. For cultivating mulberry on a two-acre plot, small and marginal farmers will be given 50 per cent subsidy in drip irrigation.

"Similarly, 50 per cent subsidy will be given to farmers, who set up a silkworm rearing centre. The subsidy will be between Rs 25,000 and Rs 40,000 per beneficiary. The list of beneficiaries will be prepared soon," Naidu said.

He said a convention of farmers engaged in silk production would be held shortly to popularise the new plan.