Why in news?
The Union Government has recently pumped huge sum of money for silk production.
What is the significance of silk production in India?
· In India, about 97% of the raw mulberry silk is produced in the five Indian states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Jammu and Kashmir.
· Mysore and North Bangalore, the upcoming site of a US$20 million "Silk City", contribute to a majority of silk production.
· Another emerging silk producer is Tamil Nadu where mulberry cultivation is concentrated in Salem, Erode and Dharmapuri districts.
· Tamil Nadu were the first locations to have automated silk reeling units.
· Apart from this all four commercially exploited varieties of silk mulberry, Muga, Eri and Tasar are produced in the North East.
· This region contributes about 21 per cent of the total silk production in the country.
What is India’s Plan on Silk production in north east?
· Funding -To counter China’s growing silk production, the Government of India has pumped in Rs 690 crore in 24 districts in the North East region,
· Under North East Region Textile Promotion Scheme (NERTPS), 24 projects worth Rs 690 crore is being implemented in NE states
· In this plan six are in Assam, one in Sikkim, two each in Meghalaya and Manipur and the rest in other states.
· Implementation- The scheme is being implemented under two broad categories
· Awareness building -Taking a cue from what the British did, the Centre has identified three districts in Meghalaya and an intensive awareness campaign will be launched to help draw back silkworm farmers to the trade.
· Holistic planning -The scheme is aimed at a holistic development of sericulture in all its spheres from plantation development to production of fabrics with value addition at every stage of production chain.
· It includes Mulberry production wherein nursery, land development, plantation, rearing tools, rearing house, irrigation for plantation, cocoon, product development, marketing and training for farmers.
Source: Business Line
