Comparative study of economics of mulberry silk production in North Western and Western Zones of Tamil Nadu

Abstract

An attempt was made to compare the economics of sericulture was carried out in two major sericulture zones in Tamil Nadu such as, Western and North Western zone during 2012-13. Farmers who were regular in the practice of silkworm rearing were only randomly selected and data were collected by personal interview method. In north western zone the total cost of mulberry leaf production accounted for 92,610.42 /ha/year, whereas in Western zone it was 1,30,692.20 /ha/year. The return value of cocoon and by-products realized was 6,62,840.64 and 4,81,123.89 /ha/year in Western and North Western zones respectively. The total cost of cocoon production involved was 210923.47 /ha/year in North western zone where as, in Western zone, it accounted for 285687.28/ha/year. The net return from cocoon production for north western zone and western zone was 270200.41 and 377153.36 ha/year. The cost to benefit ratio was 1:2.28 and 1:2.32 for north Western and Western zones respectively. Hence, results of present study clearly revealed that sericulture farmers from Western zone of Tamil Nadu earning more profit than North Western zone.