Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh has announced that the central government is willing to assist silk farmers.

During the 75th year Platinum Jubilee (Amrita Mahotsava) program of the Central Silk Board at Karnataka Open University, Mysore, Singh said that silk sarees are still highly sought after globally. He also mentioned that the central government is prepared to provide all assistance to silk growers. The minister also mentioned that state governments can prepare separate schemes to help silk farmers, which will be reviewed and implemented by the central government.

Sri Syama Prasad Mukherjee was the brain behind the establishment of the Central Silk Board in 1949. Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar, the king of Mysore, introduced silk to Mysore. Mysore silk sarees are world-famous today said Giriraj Singh.

It's worth noting that the price of silk has increased from Rs 250 per kg in 2014 to Rs 400 to Rs 450 per kg, which has been welcomed by farmers. The cultivation of silk has received more encouragement since independence, and in the last 15 years, silk prices have improved.
Hon'ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi has implemented schemes to increase the income of the country's farmers. In Karnataka, coconut is grown mostly in Tumkur and Ramnagar districts, but silk is grown in most districts of Karnataka he said.Indian silk is cheaper than Chinese silk. But in the near future, China's silk production will decrease as there is a shortage of workers. He expressed confidence that this will fetch better prices for Indian silk.

Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy said that 26 states in the country are engaged in sericulture. Over the last 15 years, silk has been fetching good prices, More than 2,800 tons are being exported as farmers are growing high-quality silk crops.Discussions related to farmers' development are held in every cabinet meeting. The central government is committed to the welfare of farmers, and schemes are being formulated in this regard. Farmers should live with self-confidence, and we will work in this regard, he said.The contribution of farmers from eastern states like Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and Meghalaya is immense. Similarly, in Karnataka, 50% of silk growers contribute. central government is ready to solve the problems of silk growers, said H.D. Kumaraswamy.

Sri Pabitra Margherita, Minister of State for External Affairs and Minister of State for Textiles, said, "I'm honored to address you all today. I began my speech in Kannada because I have great respect for this beautiful language. Silk is more than just a fabric – it's a livelihood for millions of people across the nation. Over the past 75 years, the Central Silk Board has played a significant role in supporting our economy and traditions, and has also helped take our silk industry to the global stage. I would like to congratulate everyone involved with the Central Silk Board for their efforts."

Karnataka Animal Husbandry and Sericulture Minister K Venkatesh said that silk is a prestigious crop in the state of Karnataka. The central government should give more encouragement to sericulture. Mysore silk sarees are famous all over the world. He requested that the central government implement schemes favorable to silk growers.Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, Mysore-Kodagu MP, said that Mysore and silk are inextricably linked. Silk has been in vogue here since the time of the Vijayanagara kings. Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar contributed to the development of sericulture. All kinds of work will be done to encourage sericulture.

Chikkaballapur Lok Sabha Member and Central Silk Board Member Dr. K Sudhakar said that silk is grown in many states of the country. The yield has also increased due to the development of modern technology. Due to the menace of middlemen, the farmers are not getting the best price for the crops grown. Action should be taken to prevent this.

Rachna Shah, Secretary of the Central Textile Department, said that today we are celebrating 75 years of the Central Silk Board. The Central Silk Board was started in 1949. The textile sector is an important sector, with 4.5crore people employed in it. Silk is a good income-producing crop for farmers. Silk production has grown into a huge industry today. India is the largest producer of silk in the world. RajyaSabha member Narayan Koragappa said that weavers should be encouraged. GT Deve Gowda, MLA of Chamundeshwari Assembly Constituency, said that he too grew a silk crop in 1975. He has got the award of Pragati Para Raitha. The government should encourage sericulture to survive. A market should be opened in every district. A coin of Rs75 was released by the Central Silk Board. The Coffee Table Book of the Central Silk Board was released. A postal cover named after the Central Silk Board was also released. Better hybrid silk breeds were introduced by the Central Silk Board. Farmers from different states who have excelled in sericulture and silk weaving were felicitated.
Sericulture stakeholders, heads of sericulture departments from all over the country, policymakers and planners, scientists, and technical experts from 26 States/UTs participated in the event.

The Central Silk Board is an autonomous body working under the Union Ministry of Textiles that has made a significant contribution to the country’s achievements in the sericulture sector. As the CSB completes 75 years, about 9.5 million people in the country are dependent on sericulture for their livelihood. The CSB is benefiting sericulture stakeholders by providing training, workshops, awareness programs, financial aid, and subsidies.

 

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