Chhattisgarh has immense potential to produce Eri silk, Chief Executive Office of Central Silk Board Ranjit Ranjan Okhandiyar on Friday told Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel.
Okhandiyar said this while paying a courtesy call on Baghel. He was accompanied by Director, Vanya Silk Mill Pvt Ltd, D.S. Kasare.
Baghel assured them cooperation and said production of Eri Silk in Chhattisgarh would certainly provide new means of EMPLOYMENT to farmers, tribals, youths and Women.
Okkhandiyar said that Eri silk is obtained from castor plant and it is high on demand in the national and international market.
He told Chief Minister that mulberry and tussar silk industries have already been established in the state and now cultivation and production of Eri cocoon must be promoted.
This would further boost the income of farmers, make them self-dependent and improve their living standards.
He added that earlier the Eri silk industries in the country were completely dependent on the import of Eri cocoons for silk production.
Now, with the approval of Central Silk Board to produce Eri cocoons in Chhattisgarh, the country would not have to depend on imports.
Kasare said he has submitted a proposal for cultivation of Eri cocoon in an area of 10,000 acres in Chhattisgarh under Silk Samagra-2 of Central Silk Board.