Sericulture is a traditional agro-based industry with
potential to provide year-round employment as
well as remunerative income to small and marginal
farmers. It provides an ideal livelihood
opportunity for millions of women without
disturbing their household work. Silkworm rearing
can generate regular employment for 12-13
persons per ha with low investment and a short
gestation period of 6 months. As India is importing
over 8,000 t raw silk to meet the annual demand of 26,000 t which is likely to increase to 45,000 t by 2025,
this is a golden opportunity to expand sericulture.
To enhance the profitability, BAIF has developed appropriate technologies for breeding improved races of
silkworms, establishment of grainages for supply of disease free layings (dfls), introduction of suitable
mulberry varieties and
development of improved
cultivation practices with
delivery of services at
the doorsteps of small
farmers in traditional and
nontraditional areas. While
the traditional method of
mulberry growing requires
regular irrigation, BAIF has
introduced mulberry as a short gestation tree crop which can withstand harsh weather conditions.
The programme is spread over Maharashtra, Karnataka and
Himachal Pradesh. Demonstration and training have also been
initiated in Uttarakhand. The field programme is supported by
applied research and supply of inputs, with support from the
Central Silk Board and State Directorate of Sericulture.
To optimise the yield and quality of silk, different varieties of
mulberry and silkworm races were evaluated at the Central
Flour Mill, STD kiosk, Mike and acoustics system, Loudspeaker, Laundry, Barber, Cook, Masonry, Carpentry, Blacksmith, Welding, Tyre vulcanization, Air compressor, Motor rewinding, Photography, Cycle repair, Repair of two-wheelers, Hiring of motor cycles, Watch repair, Handpump repair, Electrical, Battery charging, Hiring of bullock cart, Horse cart, Hiring of donkeys, Shoe / footwear, Rickshaw puller, Camel trolley, Dish Antenna installation, Hire of Tents, Merry-go-round, Hiring of bicycles for school children, Agro-service centre, Hiring of cows and buffaloes, Cattle shoe fixing, Chaff cutter operation, Hiring of chairs and water drums for storage.
Research Station at Urulikanchan and at BAIF's Regional
Campus at Lakkihalli near Tiptur in Karnataka and 15
indigenous and exotic silkworm races and 24 mulberry
strains have been selected and maintained for
conservation and field dissemination.
Rain-fed sericulture is being promoted in the
watersheds in Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh with
the active involvement of small landholders. Various
eco-friendly technologies and soil and water
conservation techniques have been evolved to make
optimum use of locally available crop residues for establishing mulberry plantations. Cultivation of
intercrops in mulberry plantations has been initiated for generating additional income. Low-cost sheds
have been constructed for rearing of silkworms. Cocoon
processing facilities have also been established at Urulikanchan,
Lakkihalli and Dadoh campuses.
Realising the scope of tasar silkworm rearing in tribal areas, an
integrated programme from egg-to-silk production at the village
level has been launched in Thane, Pune and Gadchiroli districts of
Maharashtra. This has also helped in demonstrating the economic
viability at various scales of operation. Training courses on various
aspects of sericulture are conducted regularly.
