Integrated Scheme for Development of Silk Industry

Under the Central Sector Scheme Silk Samagra an Integrated Scheme for Development of Silk Industry (ISDSI) implemented by Government of India through Central Silk Board (CSB) with a total outlay of Rs. 2161.68 crore for three years (2017-18 to 2019-20) for the overall development of silk industry in the Country with an objective to scale up production by improving the quality and productivity.  The scheme comprises four major components viz. (i) Research & Development, Training, Transfer of Technology and Information Technology Initiatives, (ii) Seed Organizations, (iii) Coordination and Market Development and (iv) Quality Certification Systems (QCS) / Export Brand Promotion and Technology Up-gradation.

Features of the Scheme  

All the four major components of Silk Samagra are interlinked with each other and aimed at a common goal. The main objective of the scheme is to maintain Breeders stock, Breed improvement through R&D Projects, Development of mechanized practices, Technology translation through Sericulture Information Linkages and Knowledge System (SILKS) Portal, Mobile Application for Stakeholders and for seed quality monitoring, develop technology packages, impart training on improved technology programmes to Stakeholders, and transfer technology to the field through front line demonstration, produce Basic & Commercial Seed of the improved Silkworm breeds developed by the Research Institutes, encourage Private Partnership  in Seed sector, and Maintain & Certify the quality standards set by the R&D units for Silkworm Seed, Cocoon, Raw Silk and Silk products covering the entire Silk value chain.

Major Interventions:

1. Research & Development: Race improvement through development of improved host plant varieties and improved disease resistant Silkworm breeds through collaborative research with reputed National Research organizations like IITs, CSIR, IISc and International research institutes on Sericulture.

2. Seed organisation: Seed production units will be strengthened to bring in quality standards in production network, besides increasing the production capacity to cater to the increased silk production target, promote adopted seed rearers to generate quality seed cocoons, Private Graineurs to produce quality seed and Chawki Rearing Centres (CRCs) with Incubation facilities to produce and supply chawki worms,

3. Quality Certification /Brand Promotion: Promote Indian silk through quality certification by Silk Mark not only in the domestic market but also in the Export market. Besides, emphasis has been given for use of Silkworm by-products (pupa) for Poultry feed, Sericin for Cosmetic Applications and Product Diversification into non-woven fabrics, Silk Denim, Silk Knit etc. for value addition.

The scheme also comprises of various beneficiary oriented components to support Mulberry, Vanya and Post Cocoon Sectors. These interventions cover the major areas viz. (a) Development and expansion of host plant, (b) Strengthening and creation of Silkworm seed Multiplication infrastructure, (c) Development of farm and post-cocoon infrastructure, (d) Up-gradation of reeling and processing technologies in Silk, and (e) Capacity Building through Skill development / Enterprise Development Programme.

The above scheme interventions are expected to increase /improve the production and productivity of silk. The details of expected outcome of the scheme are as under:

• • • Increase the Silk production from the level of 30,348 MTs (Metric Tonne) during 2016-    17 to 38,500 MTs by end of 2019-20,

• • • Increase the production of Bivoltine Import Substitute Silk to 8500 MTs from 5266          MTs in 2016-17

• • • Increasing Vanya Raw Silk production to 11,500 MTs from 9075 in 2016-17 MTs.

• • • To produce International Grade Silk of 4A and above to minimize the import to bare  minimum.

• • • To generate additional employment to about 15 lakh person by reaching 100 lakh persons by end of March,2020 from the level of 85.10 lakh persons in 2016-17.