During the Platinum Jubilee celebrations of the Central Silk Board in Mysuru, Union Minister for Textiles Giriraj Singh announced that India is poised to surpass China in silk manufacturing. Currently, India produces around 40,000 metric tonnes of silk annually, while China leads with 50,000 metric tonnes out of a total global production of 94,000 metric tonnes. Singh pointed out that India’s silk production has increased from 28,000 metric tonnes, and he expressed optimism that, with enhanced production of mulberry silk in South India and Eri silk in North India, the country could reach an output of 100,000 metric tonnes in the near future. He also highlighted the potential market for Indian silk products in China, indicating a bright outlook for the sector.
In 2014, the average cost of a cocoon was Rs. 260. That was ten years ago. The average price dropped from Rs. 550 per kg in 2022–2023 to Rs. 440 per kg in 2023–2024. Singh pledged that his Department would investigate the causes of the previous year’s decline in cocoon prices and that it will endeavour to stabilise cocoon pricing.
Singh proposed that the State Government establish a Common Facility Centre in response to a complaint made by former Minister and Chikkaballapur MP K. Sudhakar on the alleged meddling of middlemen in the silk trade that was robbing the farmers of their just share.
He made the observation that Bengaluru-based businesses had entered the silk trade, compelling the farmers to deal with the middlemen. Since the Centre is not involved in extension work, the State ought to establish the Common Facility Centre to help farmers in Karnataka as well as the neighbouring states of Kerala and Andhra Pradesh.
Pabitra Margherita, the Union Minister of State for Textiles and External Affairs, stated he was unaware of intermediaries in the silk trade. But he promised to do his part to ensure that intermediaries in the silk trade are eliminated, should they exist.
Speaking to the assembly, Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy stated that Karnataka generated 42 per cent of the nation’s over 40,000 metric tonnes of silk.
