Maha pushes for sericulture as viable option to farming

Maharashtra government plans to promote sericulture as a viable option to farming to meet the challenges of the agrarian sector in the backdrop of failed crops and farmer suicides.
According to its Vision 2030 document, the government intends to raise raw silk production target of mulberry to 150 kg per hectare by that year from present 84 kg/ha and tasar (a type of wild silk) output to 3.70 kg/ha from 2 Kg/ha now.
The government wants to enhance production of raw silk through vertical and horizontal expansion of mulberry and non -mulberry silk. It aims to develop a vibrant and sustainable farmer base by overall improvement in production, productivity and output quality through expansion of area under plantation in mulberry and non-mulberry silk, according to the document.

The state is seeking an inclusive development of rural population, especially women and tribals, by creating gainful employment through sericulture (rearing of silkworms for production of the fiber).
The vision document lays emphasis on cluster approach in pre and post cocoon sectors (mulberry cultivation, silkworm rearing, silk reeling, twisting, weaving sectors) and provide marketing, institutional and infrastructural support.
It aims to promote contract farming in mulberry plantation, silkworm rearing and promote quality silkworm seed production in both government and private sectors.
The document lays stress on HRD factor for knowledge and skill development among the stakeholders and encourage NGOs/SHGs to participate in various activities of sericulture.