India: mulberry plantations to be raised in 10,000 acres in State

Plans are afoot to raise mulberry plantations in 10,000 acres this year in addition to the existing 90,000 acres in the State, according to Sericulture Commissioner Rama Lakshmi.

Speaking to This website’s newspaper, she said that so far eight crore saplings were planted in 3,500. As many as 5,000 matric tonnes of silk was produced from 55,000 matric tonnes of cocoons.

Steps were taken to produce 75,000 cocoons this year, she observed. Rama Lakshmi said the existing production in the country was 14,000 matric tonnes as against 25,000 matric tonnes in demand.

The Government was planning to start spun silk mills in the State in a phased manner. Silk was the main ingredient in the production of door curtains, pillow covers and other furnishings, she said.

The Government was planning to encourage Sericulture through sago waste leaves in the State to provide additional income to the farmers. East Godavari district stood first with 19 matric tonnes of silk production in the State. Steps were taken to increase the target to 25 matric tonnes in the district and 65 matric tonnes in the State, the commissioner said.

Source