Sericulture was found to be the top sector in generating jobs while yielding profitable income, when compared to other agro sectors in India, according to a field study conducted by Central Silk Board. In the study conducted in select agro clusters in Tamil Nadu, the CSB has compared sericulture with major crops such as paddy, sugarcane, turmeric, maize, and vegetables.
According to a recent paper submitted on this study by the scientists in Central Sericulture Research and Training Institute (CSRTI) in Mysore, Sericulture generated 532 man days from a one-year period in its activities such as garden establishment, leaf production, silkworm rearing, and marketing. Of this, 319 man days were utilised from own family source and 212 man days were hired. Sugarcane stood in the second place by one-acre of sugarcane field generating 296 man days, of which 26 man days were from own family sources and 269 man days were hired. Turmeric followed, which offered employment to the extent of 133 man days, including 43 man days were from own family, while the remaining were hired. The employment generation for paddy plus vegetables from one acre was estimated to be 313 man days, in which 90 man days were from own family source.
The major advantage in sericulture was that five to six crops could be harvested from one acre of mulberry garden during one year, generating more jobs.
The report also said that sericulture suits well to provide regular employment opportunities for marginal and small landholders under the union government promoted Employment Guarantee Programme in the rural areas. Sericulture would also achieve the twin objectives of providing employment and assuring periodical income to farmers throughout the year.
