Southern States - Karnataka   

Centre urged to increase assistance for sericulture

By Our Staff Correspondent

MYSORE JAN. 7. The Minister for Sericulture, H.M. Revanna, has sought more financial assistance from the Centre for the sericulture industry in the State as it is the largest silk producer in the country.

He was speaking after inaugurating a Krishi Mela organised at the Central Sericulture Research and Training Institute here on Tuesday.

Denying a rift between the Centre and the State Government over the issue, he said 70 per cent of the silk produced in the country was from the State. Increased investments would raise the output. The State now got only Rs. 73 crore of the Rs. 1,373 crore allocated to the Silk Board.

The sericulture industry was contributing to the economy of the State in a big way, he added.

On the dumping of silk in the country by China, he said production of raw silk, cocoon rearing, reeling, and Chawki rearing all had been affected by it. China was trying to destroy sericulture in the country. Silk had a price of $ 24 in international market, but that country was exporting it to India at $ 11 to $ 13. Smuggling of silk through Bangladesh and Nepal was another problem.

Welcoming the imposition of anti-dumping duty on import of mulberry raw silk, he said it would provide some relief to the industry and the farmers, and help implement technologies to boost silk production.

K.S. Eshwarappa, Chairman of the board, said all efforts would be made to help farmers get the best price for silk. If the market price did not match the investment, the Centre and the State Government would announce support price.

S.B. Dandin, Director of the institute, said that even as efforts were made to check dumping of Chinese silk, a long-term action plan to boost silk production at a reduced cost was inevitable. There was also a need to urge the Centre to give incentives to sericulturists and silk reelers.

Awards were given to the best performers in various sectors of sericulture. Lakshamma from Chennarayapatna was presented the Best Sericulturist Award for Higher Yield. The Devanahalli Quality Club was given the Best Quality Club Award. Kumar received the Best Chawki Centre Award on behalf of the Vemgal Chawki Centre.

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