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More districts under eri silk project

By Our Staff Reporter

COIMBATORE, JULY 31. The Regional Sericulture Research Station, Central Silk Board, Salem, has started its "introductory demonstration" project for eri silkworm rearing in three districts in the State.

Eri silk is a type of non-mulberry silk and these silkworm varieties are reared mainly in the Northeastern States.

They feed primarily on tapioca leaves and castor leaves. Farmers involved in tapioca cultivation could take up this activity to supplement their income.

This variety of silk could be blended with cotton or wool and used in production of winter garments. The Joint Director of the RSRS, S.M.H. Qadri, told The Hindu today that a three-year project was launched last year in the State and the eri silkworm seeds were distributed to select tapioca farmers in Dharmapuri and Namakkal districts for a demonstration programme.

During this financial year, this was being extended to more farmers covering Salem, Namakkal and Erode Districts.

Tapioca plantation

He said that tapioca plantation was taken up on a large-scale in these areas and hence there was a potential for eri silkworm rearing.

It was suggested to the farmers that 20 to 30 per cent of leaves from the tapioca crop could be cut about two months before harvest and provided as feed to the worm.

Awareness programmes were being conducted. The RSRS, which was co-ordinating the programme, would provide the silkworm seeds at a nominal cost and would extend technical assistance.

"Around 50 farmers are expected to take up eri silkworm rearing this year from these areas."Since the objective was to implement it as a cluster programme, 20 to 25 acres of adjoining lands in the three districts would be covered under the project this year, he said.

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