Sericulture also referred to as a silk farming, is the cultivation of silkworms to produce silk.
Bombyx mori (also known as the caterpillar of the domestic silkmoth) is the most widely used and intensively studied silkworm.
History of Silk
Historically, Silk was found to be produced in China as early as the Neolithic Period. It has become an important cottage industry in several countries like Brazil, China, France, India, Italy, Japan, Korea, and Russia. However, China and India are the two main producers and now contribute to more than 60% of the world’s annual production.
Schemes for Silk Farming development in India
- The government is developing an exclusive Cluster Development Project (CDP) which will cover around 3500 farmers. This CDP is being implemented in the Kolar District for the development of Bivoltine sericulture.
- The Central Silk Board (CSB) is implementing a Central Sector Scheme (CSS) known as the Silk Samagra ?Integrated Scheme for Development of Silk Industry (ISDSI)? for the development of the silk industry in the country.
- Under this scheme, assistance is extended to all sericulture farmers for the raising of Kissan Nursery, improved incubation facility for the plantation, increasing construction of rearing houses for silkworms.
- It will also cover costs for the door to door service agents for disinfection and input supply, support for improved reeling units like automatic reeling units, multi-end reeling machines.
It will also provide funds for the improved twisting machines and support for post yarn facilities for quality silks and fabrics production.