Sericulture-An supplementary income activity

The term “sericulture” broadly includes plant cultivation for feeding the silkworms, its rearing for silk cocoon production, reeling the cocoons for unwinding the silk filament, yarn making, weaving and fabric making. In India, sericulture is not only a tradition but a living culture and is spread over 22 states. It plays a very significant role in the use of natural resources effectively for socio-economic upliftment with livelihood, employment and income generation to rural people. The profits are of Rs. 35000-40000 per cycle for about 2 quintals of cocoons from 200-250 DFLs and with around 7 to 8 cycles in a year, the total income can be up to Rs. 2.45-3.20 Lakhs per annum and monthly income of Rs. 20400-26500. The commonly grown crops like paddy and maize when grown twice in year give profits of Rs. 45000-60000 and monthly income of Rs. 3750-5000 whereas maize gives profits of 75000-84000 and monthly income of Rs. 6250-7000. Similarly for chilli, cotton and sugar cane grown once in a year, the profits are Rs. 90000-100000, 28500- 35000 and 55000-65000 respectively. Each month, the income from these crops can be Rs. 7500-8300, 2350-2900 and 4600-5400 respectively. All the profits and monthly amounts presented are for one acre of land cultivated.