Context
India’s raw silk production increased from 31,906 MT in 2017-18 to 38,913 MT in 2023-24.
About Sericulture
- Sericulture is the technique of farming silkworms to make silk.
- Silkworms are raised on mulberry, oak, castor, and arjun leaves. After approximately a month, they spin cocoons.
- These cocoons are accrued and boiled to melt the silk. The silk threads are then pulled out, twisted into yarn, and woven into fabric.
Silk Production in India
- India is the second one-biggest manufacturer and consumer of silk globally.
- Silk accounts for only 0.2 % of the world’s total textile production.
- India produces 4 forms of natural silks; Mulberry, Eri, Tasar and Muga.
- Silk producing states: Karnataka is the largest silk-producing state in India, followed by Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh.
- Exports of silk and silk items rose from ₹1,649.48 crores in 2017-18 to ₹2,027.56 crores in 2023-24.
- As per Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics (DGCIS) reviews, the country exported 3348 MT of silk waste in 2023-24.
- Silk waste consists of leftover or imperfect silk from the manufacturing process, which includes damaged fibers or portions of cocoons.
Mulberry Vs Non-mulberry silk
- Mulberry silk comes from silkworms that eat only mulberry leaves.
- It is soft, smooth, and shiny with a bright glow, making it perfect for luxurious sarees and high-end fabric.
- 92% of the country’s total raw silk production comes from mulberry.
- Non-mulberry silk (also called Vanya silk) comes from wild silkworms that feed on leaves from bushes like oak, castor and arjun.
- This silk has a natural, earthy sense with much less shine however is robust, durable, and eco-friendly.
Government Initiatives in Silk Development
- The Silk Samagra Scheme: Its goal is to scale up manufacturing by enhancing the quality and productivity and to empower downtrodden, negative & backward families through several activities of sericulture in the countries. It has 4 major Components:
- Research & Development, Training, Transfer of Technology and I.T. Initiatives,
- Seed Organizations,
- Coordination and Market Development and
- Quality Certification Systems (QCS) / Export Brand Promotion and Technology Up-gradation.
- Sericulture Development within the North-Eastern States (NERTPS): The goal of this scheme was the revival, growth, and diversification of sericulture within the state with a special consciousness on Eri and Muga silks.
Indian Silk Export Promotion Council (ISEPC)
- Sponsored by the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, the ISEPC is an apex body of the exporters, producers and merchandisers.
- The principal activities of the council are to discover markets, establish contacts with potential shoppers, prepare buyer-seller meets, silk fairs, and exhibitions, solve trade disputes, and promote and increase the Indian silk industry and exports.
Source: The DD News
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