Sericulture is one of the agro based labour intensive occupation mainly practised by socially and economically backward classes. It contribute substantially in the rural economy of Assam. It has tremendous potentiality in generating self employment among rural youths and women flock. Like in other District Sericulture is not practiced extensively in Karimganj District. It is confined to some pockets only. Presently 876 families are directly involved in Sericulture activities. Out of which 326 and 145 families belong to SC and ST respectively.
Eri culture is mainly practiced traditionally in Badarpur, North Karimganj development Block areas whereas Mulberry culture is predominant in Dullavcherra and Patharkandi Development Block areas. Muga culture is quite new in Karimganj. Only during last 9th plan period Muga culture has been introduced in the District.
Sericulture department has a good Network in the District with the Asstt. Director office at the District Head Quarter. Department has following institutions which are offering technical and material support like food plants, seeds etc. to the farmers.
Eri seed grainage, Adorkona.
Collective Mulbery Garden, Adorkona.
Eri concentration centre, Khola.
Eri spinning training centre, Khola.
Eri concentration centre, Tajpur.
Collective Mulbery Garden, Dullavcherra.
Chowki rearing centre, Dullavcherra.
All the institutions are equipped with required man power. But due to lack of technical building fencings, desired service could not be rendered to the people. Apart from these, 7 sericulture circles with one Demonstrator in each are located in potential areas. These are :-
1. Adorkona 2. Borgool 3. Nivia 4. Patharkandi 5. Dullavcherra 6. Khola 7. Tajpur
PRESENT INITIATIVES:
Initiations have been taken for expansion and Development of Sericulture sector in the District from the Department during the present Five year plan period.
1. Catalytic Development Programme: It is a centrally sponsored scheme under which following beneficiaries have been covered during 2004-2005.
a) Augmentation of Muga food plants : 7 Nos.
b) Augmentation of Eri food plants : 40 Nos.
c) Construction of Eri rearing house : 25 Nos.
d) Construction of Mulbery rearing house: 22 Nos.
e) Mulbery Plantation : 22 nos.
2. Self Help Group : Department has initiated formation of Self Help groups (SHGs) among the women and Youths of backward classes for undertaking sericulture as key activities. Till now 36 nos. of SHGs have been formed for the purpose in Badarpur, Patharkandi, North Karimganj, South Karimganj and Dullavcherra Development block.
3. Introduction of Motorized Spinning Machine : Department has introduced Motorized Eri spinning Machine in Karimganj for product diversification and value addition of Eri Cocoons produced in the District. For popularising and skill development 15 women entrepreneurs have been trained in the machines. Another 5 entrepreneurs will be taken to Guwahati for training who form the core of resource persons in the District for future.
PLAN ALLOCATION FOR 2004-2005 : For expansion and development of Sericulture sector in Karimganj, following allocation have been received in the year 2004-2005.
Plan General : Rs. 2.60 Lakhs.
Tribal Sub Plan : Rs. 0.93 Lakhs.
Schedule Cast Component Plan : Rs. 1.6936 Lakhs.
SPECIAL SGSY PROJECT : A project for development of Sericulture in organised manner, covering 200 nos. ST, SC women beneficiaries have been submitted under special S.G.S.Y. at the D.R.D.A., Karimganj during the year 2004-2005. Once the project is sanctioned and implemented, commercial exploitation of resources available in the District will be possible.
| Item | Unit | Reference Year | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 2006 | |||
| 1. | Total Sericulture Villages | No. | 135 | 135 |
| 2. | Families engaged in : | |||
| (a) Eri | No. | 426 | 466 | |
| (b) Muga | No. | 120 | 125 | |
| (c) Mulberry | No. | 289 | 285 | |
| 3. | Total Area Under Worm Food Plants : | |||
| (a) Eri | Hect. | 4.66 | 4.0 | |
| (b) Muga | Hect. | 2.28 | 4.13 | |
| (c) Pat | Hect. | 0.77 | 1.21 | |
| 4. | Yield of Cocoons : | |||
| (a) Eri | Kg. | 12849.9 | 10245.7 | |
| (b) Muga | No. | 126170 | 50100 | |
| (c) Pat | Kg. | 235.3 | 292.0 | |
| 5. | Silk Yarn Produced : | |||
| (a) Eri | Kg. | 8988.9 | 7177.4 | |
| (b) Muga | Kg. | 18.65 | 8.25 | |
| (c) Pat | Kg. | 20.45 | 22.95 | |
| 6. | Raw Silk Produced : | |||
| (a) Mulberry | Kg. | 20.45 | 22.95 | |
| (b) Non-Mulberry | ||||
| (i) Eri | Kg. | 8988.9 | 7177.4 | |
| (ii) Muga | Kg. | 18.65 | 8.25 | |
| 7. | Silk Yarn Produced : | |||
| (a) Spun Silk | Kg. | - | - | |
| (b) Noil Silk | Kg. | - | - | |
| (c) Hand Silk | Kg. | - | - | |
| 8. | Spinning Charkhas Working | No. | 12 | 12 |
| 9. | Total Reeling Units | No. | 1 | 1 |
| 10. | Improved Basin Established | No. | - | - |
| 11. | Quantity of Cocoons Reeled | Kg. | 126170 | 50100 |
| 12. | Quantity of Raw Silk Produced | Kg. | 9028 | 7208.60 |
Source : Asstt. Director of Sericulture, Karimganj