Silk farming expands quietly in district

BELAGAVI

The district, a sugarcane-growing region in Karnataka, is witnessing an unexpected growth in sericulture (silk farming). Over the past year alone, more than 1,200 hectares of land have been dedicated to growing tropical mulberry, resulting in a total production of 338.172 tons of silk cocoons. Despite the presence of over 25 sugar mills in the district, issues such as delayed sugarcane bill payments, the uncertain pricing of horticultural crops, and the government’s subsidies and assistance programs for sericulture have led to a significant rise in the number of sericulture farmers in the region.

Just a few years ago, sericulture was virtually non-existent in the district, but today, 2,570 farmers are engaged in silk farming. These farmers receive disease-free silkworms from private chawki rearing centers in various taluks, and tropical mulberry is being cultivated on 1,242.26 hectares of land to feed the silkworms.

In Gokak, Hukkeri and Savadatti, self-operated silkworm rearing units have been set up to support the silk farmers. However, regions like Kankanawadi, Hirebagawadi, Gokak, Ainapur, Ramdurg, Khanapur, and Hidkal, which have the potential to produce high-quality *hippunerale crops, are facing setbacks due to a shortage of staff. This has caused a slowdown in sericulture activities, with the available staff primarily focusing on meeting departmental targets.

Farmer leaders believe that if the government recruits more staff and provides timely information and guidance, even more farmers will take up sericulture.

According to department officials, the increase in the number of sericulture farmers is supported by various initiatives, such as silkworm rearing houses, low-cost sheds, and subsidized cocoon services. Through the stabilization fund, the government is also encouraging the sale of silk cocoons in markets, leading to a year-on-year increase in the number of farmers engaged in the sector.