CSB to aid Himachal for increased production of silk

28 Jun '10

2 min read

A continuous approach towards developing sericulture in 6 districts of Himachal Pradesh, which possess high potential for the production of raw silk, has been requested by the Central Sericulture Board (CSB).

During an the pan-India catalytic development program review meeting, H Hanumanthappa, Chairman of CSB pressed upon supervising both state and centrally sponsored schemes for sericulture development. He further added that, during 2009-10, it was due to CSB's efforts that aided the nation in attaining a production figure of 19,600 tons of silk.

JC Sharma, Director of HP industries, said that, to improve sericulture farmers' income, cocoon crop cultivation was essential and it should be done atleast three times per year.

Sharma continued that, about 9,000 farmers were engaged in cocoon cultivation in Himachal and to improve productivity and earnings, cross hybrid silk cocoons needed to be introduced. Bilaspur, Una, Mandi, Sirmaur, Kangra, and Hamirpur districts have high potential for sericulture.

Currently, steps are being taken to improve the aggregate earning to Rs 40,000 per year from rearing cocoon, which as of now is very low, informed Sharma. He also said that, the cost price has been raised by about Rs 450 per kilogram in just two years.

According to M Sathiyavathy, Member Secretary of CSB, schemes formulated by CSM were currently being put in to action for improving the cocoon production via expansion of the existing infrastructure, training and supply of vital raw materials.

Sathiyavathy has agreed to launch, under the post cocoon section in Himachal Pradesh, a Demonstration and Training Service Centre. Technical experts will soon be employed to take charge of the centre.

A new Research and Extension Centre of CSB is probably going to be launched, in one of the potential silk growing districts of the state. Also, a defunct centre will be shifted to an area, wherein, the possibility of surging sericulture production could be higher.

Delegates from eight states took part in the meeting including from Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh.

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