Socio-economic challenges and opportunities in sericulture: A case study of women silkworm rearers in Baramulla district, North Kashmir

Abstract

Sericulture plays a vital role in rural livelihoods by providing sustainable employment opportunities, particularly for women. The present study examines the socio-economic challenges and opportunities faced by women silkworm rearers in Baramulla district of North Kashmir, with special emphasis on their participation in sericulture-based activities. An ex-post facto research design was adopted, and a total of 120 women silkworm rearers were selected from five sericulture zones using the proportionate allocation method. Data were collected through a structured and pre-tested interview schedule and analyzed using descriptive statistical tools such as frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation. The results revealed that the majority of respondents were middle-aged (70.84%), illiterate (61.67%), and possessed medium-sized landholdings (50.00%). Most women (62.50%) practiced agriculture along with sericulture as their primary occupation and earned a medium annual income ranging from ₹0.90 to 1.64 lakh (76.67%). The respondents exhibited medium levels of scientific orientation (81.67%), economic motivation (86.67%), and risk orientation (79.17%). However, access to information sources was limited, with 48.34% of respondents reporting low exposure. Despite this constraint, a considerable proportion maintained medium levels of extension contact (74.17%), indicating scope for strengthening extension-based interventions. The study highlights the need for targeted efforts such as education, skill-based training, improved access to information, and enhanced extension support to strengthen women’s participation in sericulture. These interventions can significantly contribute to women’s economic empowerment and the sustainable development of the sericulture sector in the region.