In order to increase the income of farmers by selling products related to agricultural activities, the Punjab government has taken the initiative of introducing silk products produced by the state in the market under its own label.
During the government’s ‘Silk Day’ function here, Agriculture Minister Chetan Singh Jouramajra unveiled the logo of the silk products department, marking the start of the programme.
He announced that every effort will be made to double silk production by the end of 2025.
Jauramajra said sericulture is currently practiced in nearly 230 villages in the foothill districts of Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Pathankot and Ropar, with 1,200 to 1,400 sericulture workers.
The kingdom produces two types of silk: bivoltine mulberry and eri silk. Annually, 1,000 to 1,100 ounces of mulberry silk seeds are grown, producing 30,000 to 35,000 pounds of silk cocoons, while 200 ounces of eri silk seeds produce 5,000 to 1,000 pounds -8,000 silk cocoons.
“This work is mostly taken by people who live in poverty, landless people or those who have small plots of land,” said the minister, adding that currently a silk farmer receives an annual salary of Rs 40,000 to Rs 50,000, which is considered insufficient.
Jouramajra said the government will establish its own mobile centers to process cocoons, ensuring that silk farmers get high prices for their produce.
He said that a mobile unit is being set up to convert cocoons into silk thread in Pathankot. With the operation of this unit, the income of silk farmers can increase by 1.5 times.
Speaking at the meeting, Special Chief Secretary (Horticulture) KAP Sinha said that the state has 13 government farms and with the infrastructure established in these farms, the technical staff of the department is providing necessary services to silk farmers, such as field assistance, distribution of silk embryo eggs. , raising young silkworms and supporting the marketing of cocoons.
