Constraints and economics of sericulture: A review

Abstract

Agriculture in India is the single largest employer of rural labour. Agriculture remains the main source of income and livelihood for the rural population in India. With the advent of many technologies in agriculture be it by variety, soil and nutrient management, important resources management like irrigation water, labour etc., the sector is widening itself to gamut of different economic activities. Silk, a highly priced agricultural commodity, accounts for about 0.2% of the total world production of textile fiber. Since sericulture stands next to agriculture for rural employment in India, it becomes a matter of concern to examine the sericulture production trend over the years and reasons for slow growth. Sericulture is an important agro industry in Indian economy. India is the only country in the world which produces all varieties of silk namely tasar, muga and mulberry. Economics is an important criterion to evaluate, acceptance and wider adoption of any technology which is economically sound and that can be accepted by the sericulture farming community. Among different indicators of economic efficiency in sericulture, net returns have greater impact on the practical utility and acceptance of the production technology by the farmers. Identification of suitable reasons and management of economic problems to increase the productivity in sericulture is the key for success crop potential and hence, the review.