With the declining Chinese production, India is poised for a quantum jump in silk production and is set to become a key player in the international market. India exports silk to the tune of 2500 crore. In the current fiscal year, the production has recorded a growth of around 20 per cent over the last year.
The total production stood at around 23,000 tonnes in the year 2011-12 and this year it could cross 26,000 tonnes. India is the world’s second largest producer of silk, after China which produces 1.20 lakh tonnes every year.
Commenting on these developments, R B Tandav, deputy director, Central Silk Board said, “Silk production of China is declining rapidly and we have opportunities to explore in the global market. During the last fiscal year, the total production stood at around 23,000 tonnes and this year it could cross 26,000 tonnes. Last year, the export of silk garments earned around Rs 2,500 crore in terms of revenue. We are on promoting silk industry as production of one kg of yarn generates employment for 10 people.”
The Mumbai Chapter of the Silk Mark Organization of India is promoting quality of silk by organizing Silk Mark Expo at various places in India. In order to contain the menace of unethical trade practices from unscrupulous manufacturers and traders of cheaper substitutes.
The Silk Mark Organization of India under the initiative of Ministry of Textiles, Government of India had introduced Silk Mark scheme in Pune in the year 2007.
Tandav added, “India has a rich heritage in silk weaving, dyeing, printing, embroidery, and craftsmanship supported by a strong domestic market. Most of the silk is of mulberry variety, largely produced in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Jammu and Kashmir and Maharashtra. Other silk varieties include Tasar, Eri and Muga . Muga is called Golden Silk and only produced in Assam. Mulberry Silk contributes 93 per cent of the total silk production in India. The country’s own silk production is of 23000 metric tonnes. All these are possible only when we protect and uphold the purity and sanctity of silk from the onslaught from unethical trade practices and hence the effort is made in form of Silk Mark.”
Apart from this initiative, Central Silk Board is also coming up with innovative products like silk denims which is expected to give a good boost to the silk industry.
“The lustrous fiber of silk used in making sarees will now be used to make tough material for trousers resembling popular jeans. He added that once the formalities are completed the board will reach out to the established private apparel makers. There are certain challenges that the silk mark industry needs to address which include availability of labour, Average rainfall this year and preventing the younger generation from switching to other sectors,” said T D Koshy, Silk Mark consultant.
Silk Mark is managed by the Silk Mark Organization of India, a Society sponsored by the Central Silk Board, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India and headquartered in Bangalore. It has Authorized Users (AUs) of over 2000 across the country and the scheme is being introduced to many new areas in a phased manner.
Silk manufacturers and dealers of repute qualifying certain set criteria can become an Authorized User (AU) of Silk Mark. Only Authorized users are allowed to participate in the Silk Mark expo.
