Topics covered:
- Major crops cropping patterns in various parts of the country, different types of irrigation and irrigation systems storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints; e-technology in the aid of farmers.
Silk Samagra
What to study?
For prelims and mains: Key features of the scheme and overview of silk industry in India.
Context: Tamil Nadu, which has been ranked among the leading silk producing States in the country, will receive about Rs 6.22 crore under the Silk Samagra — an Integrated Scheme for Development of Silk Industry (ISDSI).
About Silk Samagra:
- It is initiated by the Central Silk Board.
- The scheme comprises four major components viz. (i) Research & Development, Training, Transfer of Technology and Information Technology Initiatives, (ii) Seed Organizations, (iii) Coordination and Market Development and (iv) Quality Certification Systems (QCS) / Export Brand Promotion and Technology Up-gradation.
- The main objective of the scheme is to maintain Breeders stock, Breed improvement through R&D Projects, Development of mechanized practices, Technology translation through Sericulture Information Linkages and Knowledge System (SILKS) Portal, Mobile Application for Stakeholders and for seed quality monitoring etc.
- The main aim of “Silk Samagra” Scheme is to empower downtrodden, poor & backward tribal families through various activities of sericulture in the country including women.
Sericulture in India:
- Sericulture is an agro-based cottage industry having huge employment and income generating potential in rural and semi-urban areas.
- It is estimated that sericulture industry provides employment to approximately 91.20 lakh persons (including 3.40 lakh persons in the State of Tamil Nadu) in rural and semi-urban areas in the country as of March-2019.
- Of these, a sizeable number of workers belong to the economically weaker sections of society, including women. This is mainly due to implementation of Government schemes and efforts made by State/ Central Government.
Key facts:
- India is the 2nd largest producer of silk in the world after China.
- It is largest consumer of silk in the world.
- It is the only country in the world that produces all 5 varieties of silk on a commercial scale– Mulberry, Oak Tasar & Tropical Tasar, Muga and Eri.
- Holds the global monopoly for production of the famed golden ‘Muga’ silk.
