The purchase of white silk will be started directly as the first automated silk mill is to be started soon at Rs 2.65 crore in Theni-Kotur. M. Ganapathi, Assistant Director of the District Sericulture Department said.
Theni district produces a large number of silkworms. Mulberry cultivation is also increasing. Assistant Director Office at Muthuthevanpatti, Theni, Uttamapalayam and Antipatti as Technical Service Centers.
Out of these, the department is running with 7 people like Venpattukudu technical inspectors, assistant inspectors, regional junior inspectors, office supervisors and employees.
Since 2021, awareness has been created for tree mulberry cultivation in the central government scheme of one production one district, currently 294 tree mulberry farmers are involved in production. Speaking about the activities of the Department, the Assistant Director spoke to the ‘Anbudan Adhikari’ section of the Dinamalar newspaper:
Why switch to maram berry cultivation?
Theni district has 650 hectares under mulberry cultivation. Sericulture is the only agricultural industry that provides stable income to the farmers throughout the year. So now software graduates, horticulture and agriculture graduates are engaged in cultivation.
The number of farmers has increased this year. Mulberry can grow 5445 plants per acre. 400 trees can be grown in Maramalperi. But it takes one and a half years to reap the benefits of tree mulberry after planting. Plant mulberry can generate income throughout the year. Groundnut can be grown as an intercrop especially in maram berry. Plowing can be done by tractor in between. Leaf quality plays an important role in silkworm rearing.
Among them, Maramalberry gets more efficient leaves. High-capacity white silks are also available. Maramalberry is drought tolerant and thrives against extreme wind, rain and sun. So heirlooms are becoming the choice of farmers.
About the price of white silk
Before Corona, cotton was purchased up to Rs.400 per kg. However, due to the current climate and the uniform climate of Theni district, the purchase price ranges from Rs.650 to Rs.725 per kg. This has increased the profits of the farmers.
Why farmers hesitate in mulberry cultivation
There are some misunderstandings among farmers. 70 percent of silk nest production in India is for domestic demand.
Apart from that we have to import 30 percent from abroad. Due to the increased demand in the international market, mulberry and maram mulberry cultivation can be taken up. 700 meters of silk spun from yellow silk cocoons especially produced earlier. At present silk yarn is available in lengths of 1200 meters.
Being efficient, Indian silkworms also have marketability in the international market. Now there is no chance of price reduction as our domestic demand has increased. Farmers should not worry about this. Maramalberi, Mulberry cultivation can be liberally indulged.
About the Automatic Silk Mill Scheme
Efficient silk cocoons are currently procured directly from the farmers and handed over to the Anna Silk Exchange Station at Kanchipuram, where the silk is spun into yarn at Nualpalai.
We instantly upload the purchase money to farmers’ bank accounts. Apart from this, the first automatic silk ginning plant near Theni Kottur at a cost of Rs 2.65 crore is nearing completion in the state. Currently shipping to Ramnagar, Coimbatore, Gujarat. Soon the automatic silk mulcher will come into use. He said that the work of direct procurement will start in Theni itself.
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