Sericulture

Sericulture as one of the agricultural pursuits is emerging gradually as a premier enterprise in Tripura. It is projected that sericulture industry is capable of generating substantial and gainful employment in rural areas of the State through mulberry cultivation, silk worm rearing, reeling, twisting and weaving. Effective measures have been taken to increase the productivity level through adoption of the latest technologies for sustaining the activity for better returns. The rural women have come forward to take up sericulture industry as a support income of their family.

Tripura adopted mulberry sericulture as silk activities since last one decade or more. Activities are more or less government farm based. Initially areas, where mulberry sericulture was known to the local people (especially the women), were identified and each such area were selected for formation of clusters. Details survey for getting information or availability of land and other basic data of the area have been conducted in 2009-10. Local Panchayats have been involved in all respect including the selection of beneficiaries, identification of land etc. At first each cluster area was of 5-6 km radius. Subsequently, area was expanded and more beneficiaries were brought under the activities.

After formation of cluster, cooperative society with the women only was formed. Society is known as Mulbery Rearers Co-operative Society (MRCS). All members are beneficiaries of the co-operative society belongs to women specially with focus to tribal and other backward communities. Executive committee of the co-operative society is formed on election from the women member of the society. The Cluster & MRCS are responsible for overall development of Sericulture in the cluster areas. All monitory benefits are provided by the MRCS & Cocoons are purchase from the rearers with cash payment for elimination of middlemen. After purchase cocoons are deposited to reeling unit for processing of raw silk yarn.

The post cocoon operation and marketing of silk yarn are being organized by the State Directorate of Handloom, Handicrafts & Sericulture as well as marketing of their finished silk product. Presently, 2-reeling units at Badharghat and Santirbazar are functioning where 20 women reelers are engaged for production of quality raw silk yarn. Moreover, 2 Twisting Unit at Badharghat and Indranagar are in operation where 11 women are engaged for production of twisted yarn.

By and large raw silk produced in the State is consumed by the handloom and powerloom weavers in the State and produces 100% pure silk finished fabrics. Attempts have been made to convert some more traditional handloom weavers to silk weaving by providing training on silk weaving under skill up-gradation programme.

Production of raw silk and mulberry cocoons:

Source: Economic Review of Tripura 2009-10