Lok Sabha Question No. 2710 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-27
Subject: Welfare of Mulberry Farmers
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: KRISTAPPA NIMMALA

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2710 TO BE ANSWERED ON. 27.12.2018

## WELFARE OF MULBERRY FARMERS

## 2710. SHRI  NIMMALA KRISTAPPA:

Will the Minister of TEXTILES वस्त्र मंरी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  recently  taken  any  necessary  steps  to support/help mulberry farmers; and
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  details  of  Minimum  Support  Prices (MSP)  for  mulberry  cocoons  during  the  last  three  years  in  the  country particularly in Andhra Pradesh?

## उत्तर

## ANSWER वस्त्र राज्य मंरी (श्री अजय टम्टा)

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES (SHRI AJAY TAMTA)

(a) & (b): Under the Central Sector Scheme 'Silk Samagra' implemented by Government of India through Central Silk Board (CSB) with a total outlay of Rs.2161.68  crore  for  three  years  (2017-2020)  following  steps  are  taken  to support/help sericulture sector in the country including Andhra Pradesh:

- (i) The  Research  &  Development  (R&D)  units  develop  technology packages, impart training on improved technology programmes to stake holders and transfer the technology to the field through front line  demonstration,  the seed production units produce basic and commercial seed of the improved Silkworm breeds. CSB conceive and  implement  the  developmental  schemes  to  ensure  that  the output generated from these programmes are disseminated to the stake holders in coordination with the State Governments for  the development of Silk industry . The units under the Quality Certification System support and certify the quality standards set by  the  R&D  units  for  Silkworm  seed,  cocoon,  raw  Silk  and  Silk products covering the entire Silk value chain .
- (ii) Assistance/subsidy is provided to mulberry silk farmers/ stakeholders through respective States for raising of Kissan Nursery,  Plantation  with  improved  Mulberry  varieties,  Irrigation, Chawkie Rearing Centre's with incubation facility, Construction of separate rearing houses, Rearing equipments, Door to door service agents for disinfection and input supply.
- (iii) The details of financial assistance provided under 'Silk Samagra' during  the  last  three  years  covering  mulberry  farmers  are  given below:

Rs. in crore

| Particulars                                       | 2015-16   | 2016-17   | 2017-18   | Total   |
|---------------------------------------------------|-----------|-----------|-----------|---------|
| A. For all States                                 |           |           |           |         |
| Total funds released                              | 77.51     | 70.25     | 80.49     | 228.25  |
| Of which for mulberry pre-cocoon sector / farmers | 12.56     | 55.46     | 49.60     | 117.62  |
| B. For Andhra Pradesh                             |           |           |           |         |
| Total funds released                              | 4.88      | 11.72     | 8.58      | 25.18   |
| Of which for mulberry pre-cocoon sector / farmers | 1.97      | 5.29      | 5.83      | 13.09   |

- (iv) At  present  there  is  no  scheme  of  the  Government  to  implement Minimum Support Price (MSP) for mulberry cocoons.  However, as cocoon marketing is a State subject, the State Governments have been  providing  various  support  measures  to  farmers  including price incentives for cocoons.

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