Paucity of silkworm feeds hindering production: Seri director
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, January 31 2023:
Even if significant number of households in Manipur still practice silk extraction from silk worms, the silk producers are facing problems due to lack of feed for silkworms, Sericulture director Bidyarani has revealed.
Speaking as the chief guest of the inaugural function of a day long Sericulture Krishi Mela cum Exhibition organised by Regional Sericulture Research Station, Central Muga Eri Research & Training Institute at Mantripukhri on Tuesday, Bidyarani informed that the sericulture directorate has been trying to produce silk using new technology instead of the tradition way of extracting silk so as to produce large quantity of silk within short period of time.
While pointing out that making the farmers both in the hills and valley aware about plantation of different types of plants, which are used as feeds for silkworm, will improve their economy, she said that despite having market for silk products, inability to produce sufficient silkworm cocoons is hindering production of silk and its items.
The director, however, confided that some days back, a meeting of Central Silk Board convened in Bangalore had sanctioned funds to the state for taking up various projects and expressed confidence that release of the fund will be of tremendous help in taking up Eri, Oak Tasar and Mulberry sericulture in the state.
As the state could not meet the demands of silk, the directorate will give its best for increasing silk production, she assured.
Bidyarani urged the people to support the initiatives and join hands in improving the economy of the land.
The programme was also attended by Central Muga Eri Research & Training Institute, Central Silk Board Jorhat, Assam director Dr KM Vijaya Kumari; Manipur State Sericulture Co-operative Federation Limited Imphal chairman Th Surjaboro and Regional Sericulture Research Station scientist-D and Head Dr Y Debaraj as presidium members.
Subject experts also presented papers on 'Host Plant Management, Silkworm Disease Management and Silkworm Rearing Technology' as a part of the programme.