Sericulture in India

NDUAT, Kumarganj, Ayodhya

1. WELCOME

2. Course Seminar On Sericulture in India Mr. R. N. NISHAD Ph. D. Scholar Department of Entomology Narendra Deva University of Agriculture & Technology, Kumarganj , Ayodhya – 224229 (U.P.)

3. Introduction History Types of Silkworms Life-cycle of silkworms Sericulture-Stages of production Production & share Health hazards in sericulture Sericulture opportunities Central research institute of India Silk road Conclusion Contents

4. Introduction

5. Sericulture: The word sericulture is derived from the Greek word “ Sericos ”. “ Seri ” means silk and “ Cos ” means culture. The rearing of silk worm for production of silk is called as sericulture. Infact , sericulture refers to the mass scale rearing of silk producing organism in order to obtain silk. Silk is secreted by silk gland of the silk worm and it is a fibrous protein of insect origin. Silk fiber consists of two types protein namely Fibroin (80%) and Sericin (20%). China ranks first in the production of silk. India is the second largest producer of silk after china. It is also the largest consumer of silk in the world. In India Karnataka is the largest producer of silk. India produces all varieties of silk namely tasar , muga , mulberry and eri silk. Source: http://www.csb.gov.in/silk-sericulture/sericulture/

6. Sericulture or silk farming, is the rearing of silkworms for the production of raw silk . Sericulture is both an art and science of raising silkworms for silk production. Amongst species of silkworm s , Bombix mori is the most widely used. Silk is known as the queen of textile and “BIOSTEEL” because of its strength. What is sericulture?

7. What is moriculture? Moriculture is the science of mulberry cultivation to rear silk worm for silk production. Bombyx mori feed specifically on white mulberry leaves, but also eat Osage, oranges and lettuce.

8. History of Silk A Chinese tale of the discovery of the silkworm's silk was by an ancient empress Lei Zu , the wife of the Emperor. She was drinking tea under a tree when a silk cocoon fell into her tea and the hot tea loosened the long strand of silk. As she picked it out and started to wrap the silk thread around her finger, she slowly felt a warm sensation. When the silk ran out, she saw a small larva. She realized that this caterpillar larva was the source of the silk. She taught this to the people and it became widespread.

9. China is the origin of Sericulture. Chinese lady named HSI-LING-SHIH invented mystery of silkworm cocoons accidently. It is said that silk is discovered before 3000 B.C. Art of silk production was secret up to 200 B.C. ( For about 2800 years) Trading of silk was through the Silk Road at that time. By about 300 AD sericulture had spread to INDIA from KOREA. In 1857, world sericulture industry suffered from Pebrine disease. This almost destroyed European sericulture industry. ( Sogdian silk, 8th century)

10. Aryans discovered the silk worm in sub Himalayan region. Silk from Kashmir to Bengal was exported to European markets during 14 & 15 century. Tippu sultan of Mysore laid foundation in Mysore (Karnataka produces 70% of countries raw silk). 1771- chines silk worm was introduced in India to improve the quality of cocoons 1717-1775- Italian method of raring was introduced by east India company 1942- silk conference at Delhi. Silk expansion scheme – to meet the requirements of parachute cloth. 1949- central silk board. 1963- CSTRI at Mysore. 1964-tassar research station. Regional research stations are established in Salem,Trivandrum , Anatapur , kollegeal , Bangalore , majra , pampore .

11. Different types of silk worms There are five major types of silk of commercial importance obtained from different species of silkworms which in turn feed on a number of food plants except mulberry. Other varieties of silks are generally termed as nonmulberry silks. India has the unique distinction of producing all these commercial varieties of silk. SILK WORM TYPES ARE:- 1. Mulberry silk worm. 2. Tasar silk worm. 3. Oak Tasar silk worm. 4. Eri silk worm. 5. Muga silk worm. Source: http://www.csb.gov.in/silk-types of silkworms

12. S.No . Type of silk Scientific name and family Host Producing states 1. Mulberry silk(white or cream colour) B ombyx mori ( Bombycidae ) Mulberry plant ( Morus Spp. ) Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh 2. Tropical tasar silk( copperish in colour) Antheraea mylitta ( Saturniidae ) Arjun ( Terminalia arjuna ), Asan and saal . Jharkhand, O rissa, Chhattisgarh , W est Bengal, Andhra Pradesh 3. Oak tasar (Temperate tasar ) Antheraea proylei ( Saturniidae ) Quercus spp . Sub Himalayan belt 4. Eri silk (White colour) Samia cynthia ( Saturniidae ) Castor ( Ricinus communis ) North eastern states, Bihar, West Bengal, Orissa 5. Muga silk (golden yellow colour) Antheraea assama ( Saturniidae ) Som ( Persia bombycina ), Sualu . Assam

13. Mulberry silk worm . The bulk of the commercial silk produced in the world comes from this variety and often silk generally refers to mulberry silk. Mulberry silk comes from the silkworm, Bombyx mori L. which solely feeds on the leaves of mulberry plant. In India, the major mulberry silk producing states are Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Jammu & Kashmir which together accounts for 92 % of country’s total mulberry raw silk production.

14. Tasar silk worm Tasar silk is generated by the silkworm, Antheraea mylitta which mainly thrive on the food plants Asan and Arjun . It is less lustrous than mulberry silk, but has its own feel and appeal. Tasar silk is mainly produced in the states of Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Orissa, besides Maharashtra, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh. Tasar culture is the main stay for many a tribal community in India.

15. Oak Tasar silk worm It is a finer variety of tasar generated by the silkworm, Antheraea proyeli J. In India they feed on natural food plants of oak, found in abundance in the sub Himalayan belt of India, covering the states of Manipur, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya and Jammu & Kashmir. China is the major producer of oak tasar in the world and this comes from another silkworm which is known as Antheraea pernyi

16. Eri silkworm Also known as Endi or Errandi . Eri silk is the product of the domesticated silkworm, Philosamia ricini that feeds mainly on castor leaves. Ericulture is a household activity practiced mainly for protein rich pupae, a delicacy for the tribal. The silk is used indigenously for preparation of chaddars (wraps) for own use by these tribals . In India, this culture is practiced mainly in the north-eastern states and Assam. It is also found in Bihar, West Bengal and Orissa.

17. Muga silkworm. Muga obtained from semi domesticated multivoltine silkworm, Antheraea assamensis . This golden yellow colour silk is prerogative of India and the pride of Assam state. Muga culture is specific to the state of Assam and an integral part of the tradition and culture of that state. The muga silk, an high value product is used in products like sarees , mekhalas , chaddars , etc .

18. Sericulture-Stages of production The silk moth lays eggs. The eggs hatch and the larvae feeds on mulberry leaves. When the silkworms are about 25 days old, they are 10,000 times heavier then when they hatched. They are now ready to spin a silk cocoon. The silk is produced in two glands in the silkworm’s head and then forced out in liquid form through openings called spinnerets. The silk solidified when it comes in contact with the air. The silkworm spin approximately 1 mile of filament and completely encloses itself in a cocoon in about two or three days. Due to quality restrictions, the amount of usable silk in each cocoon is small. As a result, 5500 silkworms are required to produce 1 kg of silk. The silk is obtained from the undamaged cocoon by brushing the cocoon to find the outside end of the filament. The silk filament are then wound on a reel.

19. Life cycle of silk worm Bombyx mori

20. What is silk? SILK - The Queen of Textiles , spells luxury, elegance, class and comfort. Mankind has always loved this shimmering fibre of unparalleled grandeur. It withstood many a daunting challenges from other natural and artificial fibres and yet, remained the undisputed Queen of Textiles since centuries. Exquisite qualities like the natural sheen, inherent affinity for dyes and vibrant colours , high absorbance, light weight, resilience and excellent drape etc. This silk is woven into cloth and sarees . In India, silk is worn by people as a symbol of royalty while attending functions and during festivals.

21. Mulberry Silk Tasser Silk Munga Silk Eri Silk

22. Source: https://inserco.org

23. Rank State Production of raw silk in metric tonnes 1. Karnataka 9823 2. Andhra Pradesh 5086 3. Assam 3325 4. West Bengal 2391 5. Jharkhand 2284 6. Tamil Nadu 1898 7. Meghalaya 857 8. Nagaland 631 9. Manipur 519 10. Maharashtra 275 STATE WISE PRODUCTION OF RAW SILK- 2017 Source: https://www.bizvibe.com

24. Source: https://inserco.org

25. Global production of % share Source: http://www.csb.gov.in/statistics/silk-production

26. Source: https://inserco.org

27. HOW CAN WE IDENTIFY SILK? Sometimes, artificial silk are sold out in the name of Natural silk. This can easily be detected with a simple burn test . It will give a smell of burning and, if not it is not a natural silk.

28. HEALTH HAZARDS IN SERICULTURE Handling of dead worm with bare hand contributes to infection and illness. Standing almost about 12 to 16 hour a day can lead to problems such as backaches, spine problem , and problem related to vision. Continuous exposure to the noise made by spinning and winding machines and looms where the fabrics is woven, result in hearing problems.

29. Sericulture- opportunities Sericulture being cottage industry plays an important roles in employment generation and poverty alleviation. It is one of the most profitable activity in rural sector. Availability of indigenous technology at low cost. Regular and quick returns. Large demand and popularity of hand woven silk in the west. Scope for establishing the large production units and organized sector. This silk is woven into cloth and sarees . India is the largest consumer of silk in the world.

30. Infrastructure of sericulture in India Union Government: Central Silk Board (CSB), coming under the Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India, is the Central Agency for the development of Sericulture and Silk Industry. The main activities of the CSB are R&D, upkeep of the 4 tier seed production network, supports the provincial government to implement field development programmes, promotion of silk at national and international level, and framing & implementing policy actions for the organized development of the industry. The activities of CSB are undertaken through 300 units and 4000 employees in different parts of the country. 800 scientists and 2500 technical staff are deployed for specialized areas in different disciplines of the industry. CSB spend about US $60 Million per annum for the development of the sericulture and silk industry.

31. Provincial Governments: All the provincial Governments have separate departments dealing with sericulture and silk industry. Their major responsibilities are; implement field development programmes, extension, marketing, seed production, and incentivize investments among the stakeholders. The investment by the provincial Governments to the industry is at the level of US $ 50 Million per annum.

32. Private Sector: The private sectors, including the Non-Government Organizations are also playing an important role for the development of the industry. Private Investment is witnessed in seed production, post yarn and export sectors.

33. ‘Silk Road’ was the world’s longest trade route between Eastern China and Mediterranean Sea. Silk, the most valuable commodity in those times was transported along this road. China was the first to start sericulture and the cultivation of silk worm spread throughout China soon. Today, China and India are the two main producers, together manufacturing more than 60% of the world production each year. Silk Road Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silk_Road

34. Silk was exported along the Silk Road (the ancient trade route linking China and the Roman Empire). This trade brought China a great wealth, but the Chinese did not give away the secret on how silk was produced.

35. India is the unique country in the world where all four varieties of silk namely mulberry, muga , tasar and eri are produced. Sericulture has been identified as an occupation of low investments, employment creating and income generating. Favourable climatic conditions and participation of large number of women in sericulture industry will lead the development of silk industry to a greater height. Conclusion