Training need assessment of ERI silkworm Rearers in Golaghat district of Assam

Abstract

An assessment of the needs of the eri silkworm rearers was made in the year 2022 for planning the suitable means of training programme towards scientific silkworm rearing practices. The study was conducted in 8 selected villages from the Golaghat district of Assam with 160 randomly selected silkworm rearers through the scheduled interview and the tool of data collection was research schedule. The collected data were analyzed by using suitable statistical tools. It could be observed that majority (60%) of the rearers exhibited medium level of training need in eri silkworm rearing. A greater part of silkworm rearers desired need-based training at village level once in a year for a period of one week at pre crop season in the afternoon time and also practical utility training with amenities like stipend, transportation, free boarding and teaching through demonstration using local language. Training needs regarding raising of host plants, seed collection and propagation method were reported as first priority by the rearers with mean score of 1.40 and 2.30 respectively. Majority of the rearers perceived to get training on mother moth examination (MS 3.00) followed by surface sterilization of eggs (MS 2.96). Regarding training needs on eri silkworm rearing, selection of eco-races was given first priority with a mean score of 2.98 and harvesting of cocoon was regarded as least (MS 1.47). Similarly, training on grading of cocoons was ranked first (MS 2.79) and cocoon storage method was given less priority. About 22.86% of the respondents were shown little interest on attending training programme on eri silkworm rearing technology.