By TIOL News Service

NEW DELHI : JULY 27, 2014 : THE Bhagalpur of Bihar is famous worldwide for its distinctive type of tasar silk and coarse varieties of silk fabrics. The silk handloom weavers of Bhagalpur are facing stiff competition from power loom and mill sector due to high input cost, low productivity and availability of cheaper imported silk fabric etc. sluggish export market and capturing of export market by other major silk producing countries like china in the recent past has also affected Bhagalpur silk industry.

To protect and promote the Sericulture industry/activities in Bhagalpur, the Government through Central Silk Board has taken following remedial measures mainly for development of tasar silk industry:-

Basic Seed Multiplication and Training Centre (BSM&TC) for production and supply of superior quality basic tasar seeds to the State Government units, for further multiplication and supply of silkworm seeds to the tasar reares.

i) Demonstration-Cum-Technical Service Centre (DCTSC) for demonstration of improved technologies to reelers and weavers and to provide required training to the beneficiaries.

ii) Sub-Unit of Tasar Raw Material Bank (TRMB) for providing local market support for the producers of tasar cocoons by providing a remunerative price for their produce.

The Government of India through Central Silk Board is also implementing Catalytic Development Programme (CDP) in coordination with the Govt. of Bihar, to provide support for development of host plantation, construction of Rearing houses/CRCs/Cocoon storage houses, assistance to Tasar Seed production, support for state Department for strengthening of Eri Farm-cum-Grainages, rearing appliances, establishment of improved cottage basin reeling units, support for hot air driers etc. Under Quality Certification System (QCS) scheme, the Silk Mark Organisation of India (SMOI) organises structured and well planned Silk Mark Expos in various cities across the country regularly and provides a platform to weavers, traders and exporters to showcase and sell their silk products including sarees. Weavers and Exporters from Bhagalpur region also participate in these expos in a big way and get benefited.

One big handloom cluster, covering 5000 looms and 5 small clusters, covering 300-500 looms, have been sanctioned for Bhagalpur weavers. One Mega Handloom Cluster has also been approved in the budget of 2014-15 for Bhagalpur. Further, Government has setup one Weavers Service Centre at Bhagalpur for providing various services such as skill upgradation, design and product development etc.

Safeguarding Interests of Muga Silk Farmers of Assam

Muga silk production in Assam has shown an increasing trend and therefore, it is not on the verge of extinction.

The following statement indicates State-wise muga Silk production in the country during the last five years (2009-10 to 2013-14). It could be seen from the statement that the Assam produces substantial quantity of Muga Silk, when compared to other muga silk producing States.

Steps taken by the Government to safeguard the livelihood of muga silk farmers and escalate silk and silk production in Assam:

In order to encourage sericulture industry and to boost the production targets, certain action plan have been prepared during the XII Plan period viz. Paradigm shift in production strategies for transforming the Indian silk industry from the subsistence level of production to a vibrant competitive commercial production base chain, extending support to reelers for increasing the storage capacity by providing Revolving Capital Fund, and Interest subsidy, producing import substitute bivoltine silk of 3A Grade through exclusive bivoltine clusters and

Seri-Business Enterprises in thrust areas of potential States strengthening R&D interventions to improve productivity and quality thereby contributes to vertical expansion, developing high yielding Cross Breed line of L14xCSR2 in Sub-tropical areas to increase the silk production developing Rain-fed mulberry areas as a special programme through moisture management, rain water harvesting, Welfare measures to primary stakeholders like- health insurance coverage and technologies to reduce drudgery, etc.

For the development of silk industry in Assam, the Government through Central Silk Board has established the following CSB Units in Assam, mainly for the development of Muga and Eri silk industry in the State. These units also extend support to the Stakeholders of silk industry in Assam and neighbouring areas:-

1) Regional Office at Guwahati to coordinate sericulture development activities with State and other agencies in Assam and NE Region.

2) Regional Muga Research Station at Boko to provide R&D and extension support for Muga sericulture.

3) Muga Silkworm Seed Organization in Guwahati with a network of one Muga SSPC at Kaliabari and one P3 Unit at Hahim (both in Kamrup Districts) for production and supply of muga basic seed for further multiplication by Govt. of Assam and private graineurs to produce quality silkworm seed.

4) One Eri Silkworm Seed Production Center is also functioning at Azara in Kamrup Dist. to produce quality Eri silkworm seed.

5) Regional Silk Technological Research Station, Khanapara, Guwahati to provide required R&D support in post cocoon activities.

6) A Muga Raw Material Bank (MRMB) is functioning at Sibsagar in Assam with 3 Sub-Depots, at Dhakukhana, Sualkuchi (Assam) and Coochbehar (W.B) with the objective of ensuring economic and fair price to the actual muga cocoon producers.

In order to promote sericulture activities in Assam, the Government is implementing a Centrally Sponsored Scheme viz “Catalytic Development Programme” (CDP) during the XII Plan period, in collaboration with the State Sericulture Department. Under this scheme, financial assistance is given to the Govt. of Assam to assist stakeholders including muga silk farmers through the respective Department of Sericulture. As per the requirement of Assam State for sericulture activities and based on the proposals received by CSB, the Financial assistance under CDP is provided by CSB. During the last three years period (2011-12 to 2013-14), total funds released under CDP by the Government through Central Silk Board to Assam is given below:

(Rs. in Lakhs)

The following components under CDP are also implemented exclusively to support muga silk farmers:-

• Support for raising kissan nurseries
  
• Muga food plant development
  
• Strengthening of muga seed multiplication infrastructure
  
• Assistance to muga adopted seed rearers including construction of mounting hall
  
• Assistance for muga private grainuers

The information was given by the Minister of State (Independent Charge) in the Ministry of Textiles, Mr Santosh Kumar Gangwar, in a written reply in Rajya Sabha on Friday.