Silk production to touch 26,000 Metric ton during XI plan

Bangalore, Feb 29 (UNI) The silk production in the country was expected to touch 26,000 metric ton during the XI plan from the current 18,475 metric tons, Central Silk Board Member Secretary M Satyavathi said today.

Speaking after inaugurating 'Vanya Silk Shoppee' here, she said that the allocation for Sericulture has been more than doubled in the XI plan with allocation being Rs 880 Crore against 420 Crore in the Tenth plan.

Ms Satyavathi said that with increase in production the export of silk was targeted at Rs 4,600 Crores by the end of 11th plan from the present Rs 3,300 Crore.

She said though India stands second, next to China, in silk production, efforts were being made to catch up with the neighbouring country. The country's consumption of silk was to the tune of 24,000 metric tonns and to fill the gap about 6000 tons were imported from China at present.

About 'Vanya Silk' she said that it was popular in north East and many steps have been taken by the Board to popularise Tasar, Muga and Eri variety. The Muga variety fetches four times more than the Mulberry famous in South India and efforts have been made to increase the production of Vanya Silk during the XI plan. Of the total silk production of 18,475 metric tons, production of non-mulberry was about 1900 metric tonns and the Board wants to increase it to 3000 metric tonns during the XI plan period.

She said that 'Vanya Silk Shoppee' opened here today was the second after New Delhi, and the main objective was to showcase all India varieties of Vanya Silk and provide a platform for small manufacturers, handloom weavers, tribal artisans NGOs, retail traders of Vanya Silk to exhibit and sell their products.

The Shoppee would also be utilised for popularising the Silk Mark, a quality label for pure silk products being promoted by the Board. The stakeholders for the Vanya silk are mostly people in backward tribal areas living at remote areas in States like Assam, Chattisgarh, Jharkhand, Uttaranchal who are facing competition in the market.

Replying to a question, Ms Satyavathi said that after introduction of anti-dumping tax four years back, the dumping by China has come down considerably.

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