Silk production rises, but demand-supply gap remains

With demand for silk products growing, the country continues to import 6,000 tonnes from China annually

Raw silk production in India has increased over the last four years, but the country is yet to become self-sufficient by bridging the gap between demand and supply on account of growing demand for silk products.

After a marginal slump in production during 2015-16, raw silk production went up to 30,348 tonnes during 2016-17 from 28,523 tonnes the previous year.

While the marginal dip of 0.6% in silk production during 2015-16 was attributed to crash in cocoon pricesand drought in the sericulture belts, production in the country has been increasing year after year owing to various initiatives including research, technology upgrade and extension activities.

But, the government’s ambition to become self-sufficient in production remains unfulfilled. The country continues to import no less than 6,000 tonnes of silk every year from China.

“Our demand (for silk) continues to grow every year,” said Central Silk Board (CSB) chairman K.M. Hanumantharayappa, who toured Mysuru district last week.

The demand for silk products particularly saris and readymade garments are also increasing. Due to promotion of sericulture in the country, a number of organised players had set up modern silk goods production units. Till a few years ago, most weavers preferred Chinese silk for its superior quality and would use imported silk along with indigenous silk. “Now, you don’t need imported silk any more in terms of quality. The production of bivoltine silk has increased in recent times to constitute 25% of the mulberry silk variety produced in India. Bivoltine silk is as good if not better than imported silk,” according to the Central Sericultural Research and Training Institute (CSR&TI).

Even after decrease in import duty on silk from 30% to 10%, the difference between imported and indigenous silk was not much. “If imported silk is available to weavers for 3,500 a kg, indigenous silk is available for 3,200 to 3,300,” a CSR&TI official said.

Popularising sericulture

Meanwhile, Mr Hanumantharayappa, during his tour in tobacco-growing regions of Periyapatna in Mysuru district, tried to popularise sericulture among farmers as one of the most remunerative crops.

“Farmers in Periyapatna said they earn around 35,000 to 40,000 from each acre annually. But, sericulture yields more. The earnings can even go up to 2 lakh to 3 lakh per acre annually if practised properly. We have mulberry varieties that require minimum water. If more farmers shift to sericulture, we can stop import of silk,” he said.

Source: http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/silk-production-rises-but-demand-supply-gap-remains/article19530300.ece