THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Despite being a fairly profitable venture, sericulture is yet to pick up in the state. Barring Palakkad, Wayanad and Idukki districts, which carry out sericulture in a modest manner, no other district has shown interest in taking up the venture. But a change is on the cards as Thiruvananthapuram is set to become a new entrant in silkworm rearing.
According to the Commissionerate of Rural Development, the farmers in the eastern part of the district will be inspired to take up sericulture on an experimental basis.“The discussion is on to promote sericulture in various blocks of Thiruvananthapuram district. In our initial assessment, it has been found that the district had several favourable factors for taking up sericulture. If executed well it could become a steady source of livelihood,” said an officer with the Commissionerate of Rural Development.
Earlier in a meeting of Block Development Officers (BDO) in the district, it has been informed that sericulture is best suited in those areas in the district were crop-raids were mostly reported. The meeting which directs the respective BDOs to promote sericulture in their respective areas also asks them to conduct half-day awareness classes for local body members. It is learnt that a specific direction has already been given by the Commissionerate to the respective BDOs to identify at least 25 beneficiaries in this year itself.
Project director of District Poverty Alleviation Unit J A Anilkumar, who is also the chairman of the District Level Sericulture Cell, he said the decision is to promote sericulture in high range panchayats, especially those that come under Perumkadavila and Vellarada block panchayats.According to him, as farmers were complaining about the menace of crop-raiding animals, sericulture will come as an alternative for them.
“At present, only a handful of farmers had taken up sericulture in the district. We will use them to promote sericulture among their peers. Along with that orientation programmes will also be conducted,” said Anilkumar.
Assistant Sericulture Officer Rajesh said once farmers come forward with their willingness to carry out silkworm rearing they will be made to undergo a technical session carried out by officers from Tamil Nadu Sericulture Department. He said efforts will also be made to club the farmers from an area to form a joint liability group.
“Sericulture is being promoted as an alternative crop. It will not be a problem for the sericulture farmers to sell their produce as there is a cocoon market at nearby Nagercoil in Tamil Nadu,” said Rajesh.Experts say that though sericulture is prone to risks such as climate change and fluctuating market prices, the Ministry of Textiles’ Integrated Scheme for Development of Silk Industry, aims to make the nation self-reliant in the production of silk.