The Hindu : Karnataka News : Rs. 6 crore plan for sericulture

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Dec 17, 2007
ePaper

Karnataka

Karnataka

Rs. 6 crore plan for sericulture

Staff Correspondent

It will focus on creation of infrastructure and training of personnel

Sericulture training centre to be set up in Molakalmur
Over 620 tonnes of cocoons produced by November 2007

Chitradurga: For the 11th five-year-plan, the Department of Sericulture has submitted an action plan of Rs. 6 crore to the Government, under the Catalytic Development Programme.

The project is aimed at ensuring comprehensive development of the sericulture industry, by providing better infrastructure to sericulture farmers of the district.

According to an official of the department, the plan was sent about a week ago, while funds are expected to be released within a month. Since the project will be sponsored by both the State and Union Governments, the funds will be shared based on plans undertaken in the project.

The official said that Karnataka, which tops the country in silk production, had been making elaborate efforts to promote the industry. The industry has been active in this historical city for the past three decades. Molakalmur taluk, being a hub for silk production in the district, has been doing well in the generation of silk-based garments.

The district, which receives annual rainfall of 450 mm, is conducive for the production of silk, said the official. At present, Malbari leaves have been grown in 1,889 hectares of land in the district, which provides employment to 1,600 farmers and their families. Besides Molakalmur, the silk production is vibrant in Hiriyur, Challakere and Hosadurga taluks. According to official figures, last year, 905.36 tonnes of cocoons had been produced, and by November 2007, as many as 626.23 tonnes of cocoons had already been produced.

To offer the industry a boost, farmers were given financial aid as stipulated by the Government in its 2006-07 Budget. It had launched the “Reshme Varadaana” scheme in this regard.

Under the scheme, funds were to be released for various activities such as cultivation of Malbari, silk-worm rearing, construction buildings and drip irrigation projects. N. Chandranna, a farmer from Kondlahalli village of Molakalmur taluk, told The Hindu that he was growing Malbari on 10 acres of land. The official said that the Government would set up a silk training centre at Molakalmur, where training would be given to people.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Karnataka

News Update

Stories in this Section