Lok Sabha Question No. 771 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-05
Subject: Import of Silk
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: Shantanu Thakur

## 771.   SHRI SHANTANU THAKUR:

## Will the Minister of TEXTILES वस्त्र मंत्री

be pleased to state :

- (a) the quantum of silk imported during each of the last three years;
- (b) the details of new projects and developments made through mechanized practices that were set-up during last year;

(c) the details of the initiatives and funds released towards the productivity of silk for West-Bengal during the previous three years; and

(d) the total number of beneficiaries from Silk producing villages/districts in West Bengal during the previous three years?

## उत्तर

## ANSWER

## वस्त्र मंत्री ( श्रीमती स्मृतत ज़ूबिन इरानी )

MINISTER OF TEXTILES (SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

(a): The quantum of silk imported during last three years is given below:

| Year    |   Import of raw silk (Metric Tonnes) |
|---------|--------------------------------------|
| 2017-18 |                                 3712 |
| 2018-19 |                                 2785 |
| 2019-20 |                                 3315 |

(b): The details of new projects and developments made through mechanized practices in sericulture during last year are given at Annexure.

(c): Ministry of Textiles, Government of India through Central Silk Board has taken following initiatives towards productivity of silk in West Bengal during last three years:

-  Central  Sericultural  Research  and  Training  Institute  (CSR&TI),  Berhampore,  West  Bengal  is  functioning along with Regional Sericulture Research Station at Kalimpong  & Research Extension Centre at Mothabari to address the Research & Development activities related mulberry sericulture.
-  A regional Office of Central Silk Board is located at Kolkata to co-ordinate with states  for implementation of schemes & issues related to silk sector.
-  Research  Extension  Centres  at  Kapistha  (for  tasar)  &  Coochbehar  (for  Muga)  are  functioning  to  facilitate Tasar & Muga sericulture.
-  Three  Basic  Seed  Farms  (P2  (Two),P3  (one)),  Two  Silkworm  Seed  Production  Centres  and  a  Basic  Seed Multiplication and Training Centre for tasar are functioning to cater the silkworm seed requirement.
-  A Regional Silk Technological Research Station of Central Silk Board is functioning at Malda to look after the needs of silk reeling, weaving & processing industry in the state.
-  As per Department of Sericulture, West Bengal state proposal, funds of Rs. 603.68 lakhs has been released during last three years under Central Sector Scheme 'Silk Samagra' for the development of silk industry in the state.

(d): The  total  number  of  beneficiaries  covered  in  Silk  producing  villages/districts  in  West  Bengal  during  the previous three years is 2446 under Silk Samagra scheme.

## IMPORT OF SILK

## New projects initiated:

1. Development of Artificial intelligence empowered multi-sensor approach for Gender classification  and  separation  of  silkworm  cocoons  (multi-sensor  based  separation  of  male  and female cocoons)
2. Development  of  trap through biorational tactics for the management  of  mulberry  leaf webber Glyphodes pyloalis (bio-trap against mulberry leaf webber)
3. Development of commercial model bulky raw silk machine (web silk reeling technology) for the production of bulky yarns fabrics

## Developments  with  outcome  by  Concluded  projects  during  last  year  which  are  to  be  field tested:

|   Sl. No. | Project                                                                                                                              | Outcome/ Mechanized practice to be field tested                                                                     |
|-----------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|         1 | Demonstration and popularization of pheromone trap against silkworm uzi fly Exorista bombycis                                        | Pheromone based trap against uzi fly                                                                                |
|         2 | Studies on drum- kit drip irrigation with hydrogel on yield and water use efficiency of mulberry                                     | Enhanced water use efficiency by treatment of Hydrogel in mulberry plantation along with Drum kit drip irrigation   |
|         3 | Development of antibody based biosensor for early and rapid detection of silkworm viruses at Chawki Rearing Centres.                 | Antibody based biosensor kit for detection of Bm NPV, which can be used in CRCs.                                    |
|         4 | Studies on utilization of solar energy tasar post-cocoon technology operations                                                       | in Solar operated Cocoon Cooking Device for softening of large no of tasar cocoons with savings on fuel expenditure |
|         5 | Development of LED traps for controlling major insect pests and predators in muga ecosystem - Needs for organic muga silk production | LED traps developed for controlling major insect pests and predators in Muga ecosystem                              |
|         6 | Development of miniature eri spinning plant for better productivity & quality for adoption in NER                                    | Miniature eri spinning machine for medium converters                                                                |
|         7 | Development of an apparatus to estimate the reelability of cocoons                                                                   | An apparatus to estimate the reelability of the mulberry cocoons was developed                                      |

## ANNEXURE