BELGAUM: Sericulture is one of the potential areas identified by the Department of Sericulture, which farmers can switch over to in the district. The Government has also come out with certain programmes to encourage the farmers to take up sericulture.

Official sources said sericulture is an economically viable option for the farmers who want to improve their financial conditions in relatively lesser time.

Sericulture is lucrative in the district because of congenial climate and soil conditions for cultivation of mulberry and rearing silkworm cocoons.

The department has set a target of producing 220 tonnes of cocoons by growing mulberry in more than 1,000 acres in the district during 2005-06. Therefore, in the light of good monsoon received in the district, farmers should come forward in more numbers to adopt sericulture, the sources said. The government will spend Rs. 50 lakhs on sericulture operations through zilla panchayat in the district this year. This includes Rs. 6.1 lakhs under planned programme, Rs. 4 lakhs under Special Component Plan and Rs. 2.71 lakhs under Tribal Sub-Plan.

The Government will extend financial assistance up to Rs. 50,000 to farmers planting one lakh mulberry plants. In addition to this, the Government will provide up to Rs. 24,000 to farmers implementing drip irrigation scheme for mulberry production.

With the objective of encouraging farmers, the government will provide financial assistance of Rs. 50,000 for raising cocoon rearing shelter measuring 1,000 sq. ft, Rs. 25,000 for 600 sq. ft and Rs.15,000 for 375 sq. ft. This apart, a maximum of Rs. 30,000 will be given for purchase of equipments and materials for rearing centre at 50 per cent subsidy and a subsidy of 50 per cent will be given on the purchase of fertilizers up to Rs. 14,000.

The Department will organise training programmes for new sericulturists, where the trainees will be given a monthly stipend of Rs. 250. The trainees will be provided with a tool kit worth Rs.1,750. The farmers with assured irrigation facilities can earn Rs. 50,000 per hectare through sericulture activities, the sources added.

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