Sericulture 'Mela' in Mysore

Around 25 producers and distributors and 800 sericulturists will participate in a two-day 'Reshme Krishi Mela'being organised by the Central Sericultural Research and Training Institute (CSRTI), in Mysore, from January 6.

Farmers from Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, apart from those from Karnataka will participate in the sericultural mela.

CSRTI will organise various programmes to popularise and transfer its technologies that include improved mulberry and silkworm races, better mulberry cultivation methods and silkworm rearing practices, disease and pest management methods, and other cost-effective technologies to farmers.

Krishi Mela is one such activity being organised every year wherein 800-1,000 sericulturists will participate.

As part of the mela, a live demonstration of technologies, the latest variety of 'chandrike' or bamboo holders for rearing silkworm, and manure will be conducted. Soil and water testing will be done free of cost. The sericulture technology exhibition will enlighten farmers on the technologies developed by the institute.

CSRTI scientists and extension officers of the department of sericulture, participating in the technical session, will interact with farmers and offer solutions to their problems.

"The mela assumes significance for two reasons viz., preparing farmers to produce large quantities of bivoltine cocoons to meet the demand for high quality silk by weavers and to make the country self-sufficient," says director S B Dandin.