Worm rearing equipment distributed
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 19 2021:
Worm rearing equipment were distributed to beneficiaries under ISDP (valley) 2016-17 today at District Sericulture Office, Lamphel.
Speaking at the programme organised by District Sericulture Office, Imphal, N Praveen Singh, DC Imphal West, said all should venture more sincerely into the Sericulture sector to earn more and contribute to the economy of the State.
He said silk is in high demand in Manipur as it constitutes one of the main raw materials for traditional wear of the Manipuris.
N Praveen added that all should give up the idea of earning quick and easy money but focus on long term sustainable income source and silk rearing is one such area which can garner good income if one dedicates a year or two on this.
This offers a dual benefit of providing a medium to express one's own creativity and a source of income, he added.
Worm rearing had declined in the past due to various reasons but has been revived recently and "we need to scale up the efforts being put into this so that we can get better returns from this venture," he added.
Salam Kunjakishore Singh, Director, Department of Sericulture, said China is the largest producer of Silk because its climatic conditions favours the rearing of worms.
Manipur also shares a similar climate with China, but the area is not very well known and Sericulture has not been able to establish itself as a major occupation in the State, he added.
He also said that Sericulture is far better in income generation as compared to traditional paddy plantation as harvesting the latter happens once a year against 7 or 8 times in Sericulture.
Each harvest yields about 50 kg cocoons which has market value
of Rs 459-500 per kg, he added.
Ch Harendra, Deputy Director, Department of Sericulture, said Sericulture is equipment intensive and if "we utilise the equipment properly and carefully, we can have better produce" .