Distribution of Mulberry and Non-mulberry Sericulture (area, production and productivity across states), Cocoon Production

Distribution of Mulberry and Non-mulberry Sericulture (area, production and productivity across states), Cocoon Production

Sericulture which has its origin in China is an age old Industry in India.
Silk route is one of the ancient internationally recognized route for global business for not only silk but also other important commodities.
History reveals that silk is also used as an alternate currency (One of the important item to be exchanged in Barter System).
India, silk has a prominent place since beginning and has glorious past and considered precious of great trading value. Indian sericulture plays a prominent role both at National & International level.
At National level, it is important source of remunerative EMPLOYMENT for around 6 million people, particularly in rural areas and the majority of which are from a socioeconomically weaker section of Society and Women folk.
Besides, it contributes significantly in earning valuable and sizeable Foreign Exchange for the country through export of silk goods. Moreover, this industry ensures supply of Raw silk to the domestic market.

Introduction

Silk being an exclusive fiber and popular as “Queen of Textiles”, the Money moves from the rich and urban market to the poor and rural producers.
As the developed countries retreating from the silk production in view of increased cost of human power, silk production provides hope and opportunities to the developing countries.
Having realized the benefits of investing Resources in sericulture, the Union Government and the States over the years have laid emphasis on programmes based on sericulture for rural development.
The role of sericulture and silk manufacturing industry in putting the country in its present position in the global scenario and the potential that exists in the agrarian economy like India, in respect of agro-climatic zones, diversity in the variety of silk that no single country can boast of, skilled manpower that creates magic out of this queen of textiles cannot be overlooked by planner anymore.
India is credited for at least four distinctions in the world of silk. Indians are the largest consumers of silk.
Second largest producers of silk, Largest importer of mulberry raw silk and producers of all four commercially exploited silk in the world viz., –Mulberry, Tasar, Eri and Muga and has been recording consistent Growth in the production and productivity.
As India encompasses wide geographical and agro-climatic variations, mulberry sericulture is distributed in temperate, sub-tropical and tropical regions, while the major share comes from the tropics.

Production across states and India

Indian silk industry has moved on with long strides and its production has increased to about 18,320 MTs in 2007-08.
Mulberry silk currently accounts for over 88% in the production total of all varieties of silk.
About 53,814 villages of India are involved in growing silk cocoons by bringing approximately 185 thousand hectares of land under silkworm food plant cultivation.
The total annual production of mulberry raw silk in India is 16,245 MTs . as per statistics of silk production, the major states producing mulberry silk are Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh & Tamil Nadu in South India; West Bengal & Manipur in East India, Uttrakhand, Himachal Pradesh and J&K in the North.
The traditional silk producing states (Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and J&K) together account for 98% of the total mulberry silk produced in the country

Mulberry Silk

Bulk of the commercial silk produced in the world comes from this variety and often refers to mulberry silk. Mulberry silk comes from the silkworm, BombyxmoriL. which solely feeds on the leaves of mulberry plant.
These silkworms are completely domesticated and reared indoors. The mulberry sector continues to be predominantly rural and small farmer-based, with post cocoon activities in the cottage and small industry sector.
Mulberry silk contributes to around 80% of the silk production.
In India, the major mulberry silk producing States are Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Jammu & Kashmir which together contributes 97% of country’s total mulberry raw silk production.

Non-Mulberry Silk

Tasar

Tasar (Tussah) is copperish beige colour, coarse silk mainly used for furnishings and interiors. It is less lustrous than mulberry silk, but has its own feel and appeal.
Tasar silk is generated by the silkworm, AntheraeamylittaD which mainly thrive on the food Plants of Asan and Arjun. The rearings are conducted outdoor in nature on the trees.
In India, tasar silk is mainly produced in the States of Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Odissa, besides Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh.
Tasar culture is the mainstay for many tribal communities in India.

ERI

Also known as Endi or Errandi, Eri is a multivoltine silk spun from open-ended cocoons, unlike Other varieties of silk.
Eri silk is the product of the semi domesticated silkworm, Philosamia Ricini that feeds mainly on castor leaves.
Eri Silkworm being polyfagous has wide range of food Plants such as Tapioca/cassava, Papaya, Payam, Kessaru and Barkessuru etc.
Eri-culture is a Household activity practiced mainly in North Eastern Region for protein rich pupae, a delicacy for the tribals in the region. Resultantly, the eri cocoons are open-mouthed and are spun.
The silk was used indigenously for preparation of chaddars(wraps) for own use by the tribals. Eri silk fabric is a boon for those who practice absolute non-violence and do not use any product obtained by killing any living creature.
Eri silk now popularized as “Ahinsa Silk”.
Now Eri silk is getting popular the world over due to the isothermal properties which make it suitable for eri shawls, jackets and blankets.
In India, Eri culture is practiced mainly in the NorthEastern States.
It is also getting popularized in Bihar, West Bengal, Odisa, Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh. Eri silk is suitable for knit products, under wears, kids wear, denim and other fashion garments.

Muga

This golden yellow colour silk is prerogative of India and the pride of Assam State. It is obtained from the wild multivoltine silkworm, Antheraeaassamensis.
These silkworms feed on the aromatic leaves of Som and Soalu plants and are reared outdoor on trees similar to that of tasar.
This fabric is one of the world treasures of fine silk fabrics, woven on foot-powered, hand operated looms, which creates a subtle unevenness.
The natural shimmery golden colour of this rare, wild silk needs no dye to enhance its exquisite beauty.
It is a high value product used in products like sarees, mekhalas, chaddars, etc.
Muga culture is specific to the State of Assam and an integral part of the tradition and culture of that State.
However, the muga culture is getting popularized to other States like West Bengal, Meghalaya and Nagaland due to the availability of Som and Soalu plants.
Muga is now used to replace zariin sarees and for surface ornamentation is garments / apparels, etc.

Trends in Indian sericulture:

Over the last six decades Indian silk industry has registered an impressive growth, both horizontally and vertically.
Plans and schemes implemented by central and state agencies and relentless efforts of thousands of dedicated persons in the fields of research and extension have helped in this context.
For instance, the age old multivoltine hybrids have been replaced by multivoltine × bivoltine and bivoltine hybrids. The sericulture industry has witnessed a quantum jump in raw silk productivity.
The Average yield of 25 kgs of cocoons/100 dfls in the recent past has increased and currently the average yields are in the range of 60 – 65 kgs/100 dfls.
The new technology, besides doubling yields has also led to qualitative improvements in cocoon production with considerably reduced renditta and has also helped break the Climate barrier.

Sericulture is the production of silk. It is the process of raising silkworms to produce silk cocoons, which are then processed into silk yarn or fabric. The main silk-producing countries are China, India, and Brazil.

Mulberry and Non-mulberry Sericulture

Mulberry silk is the most common type of silk, and it is produced by silkworms that feed on mulberry leaves. Non-mulberry silk is produced by silkworms that feed on other types of leaves, such as oak leaves.

The distribution of mulberry and non-mulberry sericulture varies from country to country. In China, mulberry sericulture is concentrated in the southern provinces, while non-mulberry sericulture is concentrated in the northern provinces. In India, mulberry sericulture is concentrated in the central and southern states, while non-mulberry sericulture is concentrated in the northern states. In Brazil, mulberry sericulture is concentrated in the southeastern states, while non-mulberry sericulture is concentrated in the northeastern states.

Cocoon Production

The world’s leading producer of cocoons is China, followed by India and Brazil. In 2018, China produced 1.2 million tons of cocoons, India produced 200,000 tons of cocoons, and Brazil produced 100,000 tons of cocoons.

The cocoon price varies depending on the quality of the cocoons. The price of good quality cocoons is usually higher than the price of poor quality cocoons. The price of cocoons also varies depending on the time of year. The price of cocoons is usually higher in the spring and summer than in the fall and winter.

Silkworm Rearing

Silkworm rearing is the process of raising silkworms to produce silk cocoons. The first step in silkworm rearing is to hatch the silkworm eggs. The silkworm eggs are then placed on a bed of mulberry leaves. The silkworms will eat the mulberry leaves and grow into larvae. The larvae will then spin silk cocoons around themselves. The silk cocoons are then harvested and processed into silk yarn or fabric.

Mulberry Cultivation

Mulberry cultivation is the process of growing mulberry trees. Mulberry trees are the food source for silkworms. Mulberry trees are usually grown in plantations. The mulberry trees are planted in rows and the rows are spaced apart. The mulberry trees are usually pruned to keep them in a bushy shape.

Silk Processing

Silk processing is the process of converting silk cocoons into silk yarn or fabric. The first step in silk processing is to remove the silkworms from the cocoons. The cocoons are then boiled in water to loosen the silk fibers. The silk fibers are then washed and dried. The silk fibers are then spun into silk yarn. The silk yarn is then woven into silk fabric.

Silk Marketing

Silk marketing is the process of selling silk yarn or fabric. Silk yarn or fabric is sold to textile mills, which use it to make silk garments. Silk garments are sold to consumers through retail stores.

Silk Export

Silk is a major export product for many countries. The leading exporters of silk are China, India, and Brazil. In 2018, China exported $1.5 billion worth of silk, India exported $500 million worth of silk, and Brazil exported $200 million worth of silk.

Frequently Asked Questions about Mulberry and Non-mulberry Sericulture

What is sericulture?
Sericulture is the process of raising silkworms to produce silk.
What are the different types of silkworms?
There are two main types of silkworms: mulberry silkworms and non-mulberry silkworms. Mulberry silkworms feed on mulberry leaves, while non-mulberry silkworms feed on a variety of plants.
What are the different stages of the silkworm’s life cycle?
The silkworm’s life cycle consists of four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. The egg stage lasts for about 5-7 days. The larva stage lasts for about 30-40 days. The pupa stage lasts for about 15-20 days. The adult stage lasts for about 2-3 weeks.
What is the process of silk production?
The process of silk production begins with the silkworm laying its eggs. The eggs are then incubated for about 5-7 days. After hatching, the larvae feed on mulberry leaves for about 30-40 days. During this time, they molt several times. After the final molt, the larvae spin a cocoon around themselves. The cocoon is made of silk thread that is about 1,000 meters long. The larvae then pupate inside the cocoon. After about 15-20 days, the adult moth emerges from the cocoon. The adult moth does not eat and only lives for about 2-3 weeks. During this time, it mates and lays eggs.
What are the benefits of sericulture?
Sericulture has many benefits. It provides a Source Of Income for many people. It also helps to conserve the Environment. Mulberry trees are a good source of Oxygen and they help to prevent Soil erosion.
What are the challenges of sericulture?
Sericulture faces a number of challenges. One challenge is the spread of diseases. Another challenge is the competition from Synthetic Fibers.

Frequently Asked Questions about Cocoon Production

What is a cocoon?
A cocoon is a protective case that is spun by a silkworm to protect itself during its pupal stage.
What are the different types of cocoons?
There are two main types of cocoons: mulberry cocoons and non-mulberry cocoons. Mulberry cocoons are made by silkworms that feed on mulberry leaves. Non-mulberry cocoons are made by silkworms that feed on a variety of plants.
What are the different colors of cocoons?
Cocoons can be white, yellow, brown, or green. The color of the cocoon depends on the type of silkworm that made it.
What are the different sizes of cocoons?
Cocoons can range in size from about 1 cm to about 5 cm in diameter. The size of the cocoon depends on the type of silkworm that made it.
What are the different uses of cocoons?
Cocoons are used to produce silk. Silk is a strong and lustrous fiber that is used to make a variety of products, including clothing, bedding, and curtains.
What are the challenges of cocoon production?
One challenge of cocoon production is the spread of diseases. Another challenge is the competition from synthetic fibers.

Which of the following states is the largest producer of mulberry silk in India?
(A) Andhra Pradesh
(B) Karnataka
(C) Tamil Nadu
(D) West Bengal
Which of the following states is the largest producer of non-mulberry silk in India?
(A) Assam
(B) Jammu and Kashmir
(C) Himachal Pradesh
(D) Uttarakhand
The average productivity of mulberry silk in India is
(A) 100 kg/ha
(B) 200 kg/ha
(C) 300 kg/ha
(D) 400 kg/ha
The average productivity of non-mulberry silk in India is
(A) 50 kg/ha
(B) 100 kg/ha
(C) 150 kg/ha
(D) 200 kg/ha
The total production of silk in India in 2020-21 was
(A) 25,000 tonnes
(B) 30,000 tonnes
(C) 35,000 tonnes
(D) 40,000 tonnes
The total area under mulberry cultivation in India in 2020-21 was
(A) 100,000 ha
(B) 150,000 ha
(C) 200,000 ha
(D) 250,000 ha
The total area under non-mulberry cultivation in India in 2020-21 was
(A) 50,000 ha
(B) 75,000 ha
(C) 100,000 ha
(D) 125,000 ha
The total number of silkworm farmers in India in 2020-21 was
(A) 1 million
(B) 2 million
(C) 3 million
(D) 4 million
The total number of silk reeling units in India in 2020-21 was
(A) 50,000
(B) 75,000
(C) 100,000
(D) 125,000
The total export of silk from India in 2020-21 was
(A) $500 million
(B) $750 million
(C) $1 billion
(D) $1.5 billion