Date:01/01/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/01/01/stories/2009010159570800.htm

Tamil Nadu

“India lags in silk production”

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI: India produces only 19,000 tonnes of silk against the global production of 1.5 lakh tonne, H. Hanumanthappa, chairperson of the Central Silk Board, said on Wednesday.

Mr. Hanumanthappa, who was here to inaugurate Silk Expo 2009, said the country’s production was even below the local requirement, which stood at 26,000 tonnes. The silk industry provided employment to 6 crore families. In Tamil Nadu, around 6,000 farmers were involved in production.

He had a word of praise for the silk farmers in Tamil Nadu. In the world market, the silk produced by them was comparatively good. “Sometimes it is better than the silk produced by China, the major silk producer in the world.”

Rs. 12 crore allotted

He said Rs. 12 crore was allotted in the 10th Plan as grant for the silk farmers in Tamil Nadu to encourage production and tone up marketing.

Co-optex managing director M.P. Nirmala urged the consumers to insist on silk mark- labelled products.

Sathyavathi, chairperson, Silk Mark Organisation of India, participated.