Chinese Empress

Drinking tea under

a tree

Silkworm cocoon

falls into hot tea

Silk strand unravels

and larva exposed

VENKATESH R

2 YEAR

ANBIL DHARMALINGAM AGRICULTURAL

COLLEGE AND RESEARCH INSTITUTE

TRICHY-9

importance of SERICULTURE

Sericulture is both an art and science of

rearing silkworm for the production of

cocoons which is the raw material for the

production of silk. 

SILK, “THE QUEEN OF THE FABRICS”

• China >India

• With an annual silk production of around 23,000

M.Tons

• Karnataka >Andra Pradesh> Tamil nadu >West

Bengal >Jammu & Kashmir

• Contribution of about 90%

• The annual silk production in Tamil Nadu is

around 1200 metric tons. 

India has a distinct advantage of

practicing sericulture through out the

year, yielding a stream of about 4-

6crops.

While the major producers are in Asia (90%

of mulberry production and almost 100% of

non-mulberry silk).

India is the only country in the world

producing all the four varieties of silk;

Mulberry, Eri, Tasar and Muga.

Traditional

Commodity of Our

Country

HIGH EMPLOYMENT POTENTIAL

• Labour intensive.

• About 1 million workers are employed in

the silk sector in China.

• Silk Industry provides employment to 7.9

million people in India, and 20,000 weaving

families in Thailand.

• It is estimated that Sericulture can generate

employment @ 11 man days per kg of raw

silk production (in on-farm and off-farm

activities) throughout the year.

• Village-based industry.

• 20,863 farmers are practicing sericulture,

cultivating 33,861 acres of mulberry. 

• Employment to 1,69,305 persons.

HIGH RETURNS

• An agro based cottage industry

• Capable of providing continuous

income to farmers.

• It requires low investment but, with

potential for relatively higher returns

• Estimated investments of Rs.12,000 to 15,000 (excluding

cost of land and rearing space) is sufficient for undertaking

mulberry cultivation and silkworm rearing in one acre of

irrigated land.

• Mulberry takes only six months to grow for

commencement of silkworm rearing.

• By adopting stipulated package of practices, a farmer can

attain net income levels up to Rs.30000 per acre per

annum.

• Short gestation period, and steady

income throughout the year.

• It is the only one cash crop in

agriculture sector that gives returns

within 30 days.

WOMEN FRIENDLY

• Participation of women (60%) and family

members leads to higher income flow to the family.

• This is possible because sericulture activities

starting from mulberry garden management, leaf

harvesting and silkworm rearing is more

effectively taken up by the women.

ECOFRIENDLY ACTIVITY

• As a perennial crop with good foliage and root-spread,

mulberry contributes to soil conservation and provides

green cover.

• Waste from silkworm rearing can be recycled as inputs

to garden.

• Firewood

• Mulberry can also be cultivated as intercrop with

numerous plantations.

IMPORT AND EXPORT

• Silk and silk goods are very good

foreign exchange earners. 

• Export potential of this sector is

promising.

• Export 1/7th of silk products to foreign

countries

BY-PRODUCTS

• Many by products are obtained from sericulture

activities.

• Mulberry and silkworm have pharmaceutical

values

• Silkworm is used as a tool for genetic and

biotechnological studies

• Silkworm gives products which are used as human

medicines

• The mulberry fruits are rich in minerals and vitamins

and from the roots, barks and mulberry leaves

several Ayurveda and herbal medicines are prepared.

• Pupal oil is used in cosmetic industry and the

remaining pupal cake is a rich source of protein

suitable for poultry and fisheries.

• In some tribal population, the people eat eri pupa as a

source of protein and nourishment.

MULTIPURPOSE USE OF SERICULTURE

• Traditional commodity of our country

• Agro based rural industry

• High employment potential

• Production

• Higher income generation potential.

• Maximum turnout can be obtained with

minimum investment.

• Ecofriendly activity

• Women friendly

• Higher income per unit area

• Self-employment opportunities

• Pharmaceutical values

• Genetic and biotechnological studies