The four commercial silk varieties of India
- Mulberry silk: Produced by Bombyx mori caterpillars fed on mulberry leaves; accounts for the largest share of Indian silk production, led by Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal.
- Tasar silk: Wild copper-brown silk produced by Antheraea mylitta caterpillars feeding on Asan and Arjun trees across tribal belts of Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha.
- Eri silk: Open-ended white silk produced by Samia ricini caterpillars feeding on castor and kesseru leaves, primarily in Assam and Meghalaya.
- Muga silk: Unique golden-yellow silk produced by Antheraea assamensis feeding on Som and Soalu trees, exclusive to Assam.
Core stages of the sericulture cycle
The process begins with Moriculture (scientific cultivation and pruning of mulberry food plants). Disease-free layings (silkworm eggs) are incubated, and hatched larvae are fed fresh chopped leaves in clean rearing sheds. After four moults, mature larvae spin protective cocoons on chandrike frames, which are harvested before pupae emerge as moths.
Government schemes and Silk Samagra support
- The Central Silk Board (CSB) under the Ministry of Textiles implements the Silk Samagra scheme to modernize rearing sheds and reeling units.
- Financial assistance is provided for drip irrigation in mulberry plantations, construction of scientific rearing houses, and subsidized cocoon reeling machinery.
Official source
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Central Silk Board (Ministry of Textiles) ↗Related on KisanPe
Common questions
What does sericulture mean in simple words?
Sericulture means the cultivation of silkworms to produce silk cocoons and extract commercial raw silk filament.
Which state is the largest producer of mulberry silk in India?
Karnataka is the largest producer of mulberry silk in India, contributing a significant majority of national production.
Where can farmers receive training in sericulture?
At research stations of the Central Silk Board (csb.gov.in), State Sericulture Directorates, and affiliated Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs).
General guidance, not personal advice. For your farm, ask your local Krishi Vigyan Kendra or agriculture officer.
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