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The Hindu
14-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Monoculture reduces soil fertility; farmers urged to adopt alternative crops: DC
Mandya Deputy Commissioner Kumar on Wednesday emphasised the importance of diversifying crop cultivation to maintain soil fertility and improve farmers' incomes. Speaking at the Silk Farmers' Technical Convention organised by the Department of Sericulture at the Mandya Zilla Panchayat, he encouraged farmers to consider sericulture (silk farming) alongside traditional crops like paddy and sugarcane. Highlighting the commercial viability of silk farming, Dr. Kumar said: 'Sericulture is a profitable venture. By integrating it with conventional crops, farmers can enhance their income.' He noted that monoculture practices, such as the continuous cultivation of a single crop, gradually reduce soil fertility, underscoring the need to promote and adopt alternative crops. 'Farmers are not poor, and they do not need sympathy. They need empowerment through technical knowledge and self-confidence,' the Deputy Commissioner added. Drawing a parallel between farmers and soldiers, he said, 'Just as soldiers guard the nation's borders, farmers serve the country by providing food. Farmers are equal to soldiers and rich in generosity.' Sericulture Development Commissioner and Director Rajesh Gowda remarked that Mandya is among the districts with the highest number of farmers in Karnataka. He pointed out that if properly supported, silk farming can become a highly lucrative venture for the region's farming community. Progressive silk farmer Nagaraju C.L. from Kolar delivered a technical session on best practices in sericulture, including silkworm rearing, space optimisation, cocoon management, and pest and disease control techniques. Deputy Director of Sericulture B. Puttaswamy, Additional Director Y.T. Timmayya, Deputy Director Somanna D., N.B. Jyothi from the Silkworm Division, Mahiba Helen from CSR&TI Mysuru, and Assistant Director of Sericulture Ravi Kumar and others were present.
Time of India
28-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Govt to set up silk parks to boost production
Bengaluru: The state sericulture department is gearing up to establish three dedicated silk reeling parks to boost installation of automatic reeling machines (ARMs) and has pencilled in Sidlaghatta in Chikkaballapur district, Ramanagara, and Kollegal in Chamarajanagar district as ideal locations. Officials estimate each park would require a minimum of 50 acres of land. Karnataka remains the leading silk producer in the country, churning out 13,276 tonnes of raw silk in 2024-25. With the establishment of these parks, the sericulture department aims to modernise the silk industry, increase production efficiency, and create better market opportunities for sericulturists. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru "We will establish these parks based on funds and support from the central govt," said MB Rajesh Gowda, commissioner, sericulture development. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo The traditional process of extracting silk involved manually operated machines and boiling silkworm cocoons to extract threads. These were then supplied to textile industries for production of saris and other garments. However, the process has severe shortcomings. A department official said an average of 1,200 metres of silk filament is extracted from a single cocoon. "But the traditional process of boiling cocoons gave off a bad smell in the entire area. There are no such issues with ARMs," the official said. "However, ARM units need space for machinery and many farmers face land problems. So, to solve the land issue, the state is planning to establish exclusive parks." Officials say an ARM with a 400-end capacity (able to handle 400 silk filaments simultaneously) requires at least 12,000 square feet of space. The total cost of machinery and installation is estimated at Rs 1 crore, with the govt offering subsidies of up to Rs 70 lakh (70%) for general category beneficiaries and up to Rs 90 lakh (90%) for SC and ST individuals. Despite financial support, land acquisition has been a major hurdle. Through exclusive parks, the govt intends to provide land to interested parties. "If all goes to plan, we will initially establish parks at Sidlaghatta and Ramanagar, followed by Kollegal. If there are many ARM units, demand for cocoons will be high, and sericulturists will get good prices," the official said.
Time of India
27-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Bengaluru Urban holds its ground as Karnataka weaves silk growth story
Bengaluru: Despite rapid urbanisation, Bengaluru Urban has reinforced its presence in Karnataka's silk arena, producing 174 tonnes of raw silk in 2024-25 and securing the 12th spot among top silk-producing districts in the state. Overall, Karnataka's silk production continues to grow steadily, reaching 13,276 tonnes this year — an increase of nearly 800 tonnes compared to the previous year. Mandya leads the way with a production of 3,540 tonnes and together with Kolar, Chikkaballapur, and Ramanagara, it contributes over 10,000 tonnes, accounting for the lion's share of the state's total production and ensuring Karnataka remains the top silk producing state in the country. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru MB Rajesh Gowda, commissioner, sericulture development, attributed the sector's growth to several supportive measures. He told TOI: "The govt and Central Silk Board (CSB) has helped increase installations of automatic reeling machines (ARMs) and sericulturists get a good price for cocoons." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo Highlighting past challenges and the turnaround, Gowda said, "Earlier, farmers sustained huge losses due to diseased silkworms. But now, they get disease-free layings. The price too has been good over the past few years. The govt continuous to encourage sericulturists by providing subsidies, including on construction of buildings to house silkworms. All these efforts have helped Karnataka remain the country's leading silk-producing state." A senior officer from the sericulture department said mulberry cultivation continues in pockets of Bengaluru Urban, especially in Anekal, Doddaballapur, and Hoskote taluks, helping sustain sericulture as a major income source for many farmers. Bengaluru Rural district also contributed 660 tonnes of raw silk this year. "Sericulturists get cocoons from silkworms in 20 to 25 days," he said. "The price of cocoons has been good for the past three years, so farmers who abandoned sericulture few years ago have resumed cultivation." In 2024-25, the department distributed 52 ARMs and aims to distribute 60 more this year. SC & ST reelers receive a 90% subsidy on the cost of machines, while others get 75% subsidy. ARMs help extract silk threads from cocoons efficiently, boosting supply of raw silk yarn and ensuring stable prices for farmers. "We plan to establish ARMs in the northern districts of the state to encourage silk production there," Gowda said. Sericulture department data shows mulberry is cultivated on nearly 1.2 lakh hectares in Karnataka, producing 93,624 tonnes of cocoon in 2024-25. The state's raw silk production rose from 11,823 tonnes in 2022-23 to 12,463 tonnes in 2023-24 and now stands at 13,278 tonnes. Data from the ministry of textiles reaffirm Karnataka's dominance in silk production nationally, with Andhra Pradesh and Assam ranking second and third, respectively.
