Silk cultivation in Malda

Malda, April 3, 2006: Since the production of litchis and mangoes in Malda is subject to the vagaries of nature, the silkworm and raw silk production is about to make a comeback in the district. Silk cultivation provides handsome profits and is not dependent upon rainfall. In the past two years 500 hectares of land has been added for the cultivation of silk worms and mulberry trees has been planted which is required for the silk worms to feed.

However, farmers are reluctant to commit themselves to the state government’s plan because they fear that the government will withdraw its subsidies while supplying silkworm eggs to the farmers and allow private operators to sell low quality eggs at higher prices. Therefore, the plan is all set to be implemented but it is waiting for the approval of the farmers to be enforced.

The Deputy Director of the state’s silk department said that Malda will produce around 1200 tonnes of silk this year which betters the previous year’s production by a hundred tonnes; he also expects a turnover of Rs 120 crore this year.

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