Free Essays for Competitive Exams-Silk Industry Scenario in India

Silk Industry Scenario in India

Silk – the queen of all fabrics is historically one of India’s most important industries. Sericulture industry in India today employs over 700,000 farm families and is mostly concentrated in West Bengal, Assam, Andrapradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. India Silk Industry is second largest producer of silk, contributing to about 18% to the world production. The Indian Silk Industry has shown significant growth both domestically and internationally fuelled by new innovations in the field. The Indian silk industry is an integral part of the Indian Textile Industry and among the oldest industries in India. The silk industry in India engages around 60 lakh workers and it involves small and marginal farmers. Ministry of Textiles is adopting several initiatives to boost the production and export of silk.

Production of Raw Silk which comprises of mulberry, tassar, Eri and Muga has increased significantly to 18,272 MT in 2012-13 from 16,360 MT in 2010-2011. The production of silk yarn has also increased from 880 mt in 2010-2011 to 1,155 Mt in 2012-13. Govern of India through Central Silk Board (CSB) has taken the few steps to develop the sik industry and to increase the silk production in the country to make it more competitive with the global markets. Strengthening the research & development  systems, evolving Bivoltine Bredswith assistance from Japan International Co-operation agency, promulgamation of Silkworm Seed Act are some of the initiatives  that Ministry of textiles has taken.  Textiles Ministry through  Central Silk Board is also implementing a Centrally  Sponsored schemes in collaboration with the state Sericulture Departments in different states.

Government of India through Central Sericulture training Institute of Central Silk Board (CSB) has been providing the technical support for post Cocoon sector, including the weaving sector. Introduction of all four varieties of silks to Handloom weavers, Introduction of spun silk as weft yarn in Ikkatsweaving, Conversion of traditional Patola fabrics in to garments are some of the extension programme that has been carried out by Ministry of Textiles. To promote silk infrastructure in the country, Central Silk Board has trained a total of 2,225 beneficiaries in a bid to improve their skills in the first year of 12^th Five year plan (2012-3).

Today the Indian silk industry is already a major player in the global scenario and growth prospects for the sector appear to be bullish. Measures such as promoting further economic and technological research activities in various aspects of sericulture, standardization and quality control of products from silk are needed.