(a) whether the Government has taken steps to increase the production thereby improving the quality of silk through the transfer of technology and modernizing various sections of the
silk industry;
(b) if so, the details thereof, and if not, the reasons therefor;
(c) whether the Government has proposed a focussed cluster based programme on bi-voltine
sericulture development; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF TEXTILES (SMT. PANABAAKA LAKSHMI)
(a) & (b): Yes, Madam. The Government, through the Central Silk Board, has taken various
steps to increase the production of silk and to improve the quality of silk yarn through
Research & Development efforts, which, inter alia, include the following:
1) Strengthening the R&D systems to improve the levels of cocoon production and productivity.
2) R&D institutes of Central Silk Board have evolved new Bivoltine Breeds with assistance
from the Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA). Commercial Exploitation of these
breeds has resulted in the production of International Standard Import Substitute grade of
mulberry raw silk in the country.
3) Through R&D efforts, the Central Silk Board has made a break through in tropicalising
the BV Silkworm and Development of new verities of mulberry (Viz V1, S36, AR11, AR12, S13 and
S34). Plants with higher yields resulting in significant improvement in silk productivity.
4) The Central Silk Technological Research Institute (CSTRI) under the Central Silk Boar
d has developed improved devices, New Machines and equipments which have helped improvement
in Silk quality and productivity.
5) The Catalytic Development Programme (CDP) is being implemented by the Central Silk Board
in collaboration with the State Governments to popularize the improved technologies evolved
by the Research Institutes to improve the production, productivity and quality.
6) CSB is making necessary efforts to import and popularize the Automatic Silk reeling
Machines and multi-end reeling machines in selected clusters to meet the demand of domestic
powerlooms and to raise the quality of yarn at International level.
7) Govt. of India has encouraged production of value added mulberry and Vanya Silk products
with internationally acceptable design input with the help of well known designers.
8) The Central Silk Board has established Silk Conditioning and Testing Houses to undertake
Testing of Raw Silk for its quality.
9) The CSB has taken-up a separate Project approved by the Govt. of India, viz. “Quality
Certification System for Silk†for implementation in the country. The objectives of the
Project is to ensure quality maintenance at different levels of production process (silkworm
seed, cocoon and raw silk production) which ultimately results in the production of quality
silks of international standard so as to compete in the Global Markets.
10) CSB has launched “Silk Mark†scheme which is a “Hall-Mark†for the products made from
pure natural Silk and it guarantees the purity of silk products. The Silk Mark will also
play an important role in brand promotion of Indian Silk in domestic and Export markets.
11) Eri Spun silk Mills have been established in Assam and Andhra Pradesh to provide forward
linkages to the eri cocoons produced by the farmers.
As a result of the above interventions, the silk production in the country has increased from
17,351 M.tonnes during 2001-02 to 18,370 M.tonnes during 2008-09. The silk productivity in
terms of raw silk production per hectare has also increased from 68.73 Kgs/Ha. during 2001-02
to 87.73 Kgs/Ha. during 2008-09.
(c) & (d): The Government, through the Central Silk Board, is implementing Cluster Development
Projects in 51 selected clusters, involving 250-300 stakeholders per cluster. These projects
are being implemented utilizing the provisions and facilities available under the Catalytic
Development Programme (CDP) of the Govt. of India for the development of Sericulture
including bi-voltine sericulture in India. These clusters cover 16 states, viz, Karnataka,
Tamilnadu, AP, Maharashtra, Chattisgarh, Assam, Manipur, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Nagaland, J&K,
West Bengal, Orissa, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh. State-wise details
showing the number of Clusters developed, its location etc. during the last two years (2008-09
and 2009-10) are furnished below:
S.No State 2008-09 2009-10 No. of Location of No. of Location of the Clus- the Clusters/ Sector Clusters Clusters ters
1. Karnataka 5 Harohally Mulberry 3 Gajanur Ithandahally Sector G.R.Kere Y.N.Hoskote Bidarkote Post Cocoon Molakalmur Shapur
2. Tamil Nadu 4 Udumalpet Palani Mulberry 3 Sanarpatty Gobi Sector Uttangarai Berigai Post Cocoon Arni
3. Andhra Pradesh 4 Madakasira Mulberry 3 Kalyanadurga V.Kota sector Bhimadole Hindupur Palamner Post Cocoon Hindupur
4. Assam 4 Darang Mulberry Golaghat Muga Lakhimpur Muga Udalguri Eri Post Cocoon 1 Nalbari
5. Meghalaya 1 Tura Muga
6. Mizoram 1 Serchhip Mulberry
7. Nagaland Eri 1 Dimapur Dist.
8. Manipur Oak Tasar 2 Senapathy Churchandapur
9. West Bengal 3 Nabagram Mulberry Kaliachak Cooch Behar Muga Post Cocoon 1 Shanthipur
10. Jammu & Kashmir 2 Nowshera Tikri Tral Mulberry 2 Bandipora
11. Uttarakhand 2 Begeshwar Oak Tasar Kalsi & Mulberry Vikashnagar
12. Himachal 1 Kangra, Mandi Oak Tasar Pradesh & Kullu
13. Maharashtra 2 Osmanabad Mulberry Buldana Beed 2 Post Cocoon Yeola
14. Uttar Pradesh 1 Fatehpur Eri
15. Orissa 1 Mayurbhanj Tasar 1 Pallahara
16. Chattisgarh Tasar 1 Bastar Dist.
Total 31 20