Dear Sir
Sericulture is an agro-based industry. It involves rearing of silkworms for the production of raw silk, which is the yarn obtained out of cocoons spun by certain species of insects. The major activities of sericulture comprises of food-plant cultivation to feed the silkworms which spin silk cocoons and reeling the cocoons for unwinding the silk filament for value added benefits such as processing and weaving.
India enjoys the unique distinction of being the only country in the world to produce all four varieties of silk viz. mulberry, tasar, eri and muga. Muga is produced only in India.
India ranks second in the world, after China in silk production especially mulberry silk. Madhya Pradesh ranks 3rd in non-traditional states of India.
Sericulture sector is next to Handloom sector in generating employment.
Silk is an export oriented product and is exported to more than 50 countries like USA, U.K., Italy, UAE and Saudi Arabia. Some European and Asian countries are main buyers of Indian silk. Exports for 2004-05 touched an all time record of Rs.2879.56 crore.
Regards
Kirti
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