India aims to increase silk production

Hyderabad: The Central Silk Board (CSB) said India is expected to be self-sufficient in silk production by 2020 with an annual growth rate of 19 percent, the aim is to produce around 34,000 MTs. At present the output is 28,000 MTs (metric tonne) to 30,000 MTs and the production is growing year to year. China produces 80 percent of global silk output, while India’s share is 13 percent, while the production in other countries account for the remaining 7 percent.

If they can continue this momentum, they can aim to stop imports from China and produce that much in three-four years. Silk imports have come down to 3500 MTs now from about 6,500 MTs, CSB said. The CSB Board is offering a number of services like technological support to farmers, subsidies on machines and free training to the farmers.