Historically, sericulture was introduced for

the first time, into China by Hoshomin, the

Queen of China
Sericulture or silk farming, is the rearing of
silk worm for the production of silk.
Although there are several commercial
species of silkworms, Bombyx mori is the
most widely used and intensively studied
silkworm.
There are five major
types of silk of
commercial
importance,
obtained from
different species of
silkworms :-

1. Mulberry

2. Oak Tasar &

Tropical Tasar

3. Muga

4. Eri
The sericulture industry is unique for more than one
reasons.

If fashion is a fine art, then silk is its biggest canvas..

Silk is a highly valued textile fiber , It is used almost

entirely for the production of high quality textiles.

Today, China and India are the two main producers,

with more than 60% of the world's annual
production.
1. To cultivate 1.00 acre of mulberry plants,
2. About Rs.80,000 Rs.1,00,000 will be
required for plantation ,
3. Shed,
4. Equipments, etc.
 Silk worm oil:This is oil which can be extracted from
the dead pupae. It is used in the manufacture of soaps, the
waste (cake) is used as poultry feed.

Silk worm faeces:

I. The excreta of silk worms can be used in the production
of vitamin (K and E), in the manufacture of acid
resistant plastic sheets etc.
II. The faeces is also a good organic manure and can be
added to the cattle dung to produce gobar gas.
III.The faeces is also a good organic manure and can be
added to the cattle dung to produce gobar gas.
 Uses of Mulberry plant:
I. The fruits are edible; can also be used in the manufacture
of alcoholic drinks
II. The stem in the trees is white in colour, soft and pliable. It
is in great demand in the manufacture of sports goods
specially cricket bats.
III. The wood pulp of the stem is a good raw material for the
manufacture of quality paper.
IV.The wood pulp of the stem is a good raw material for the
manufacture of quality paper.
V. Mulberry leaves constitute a good cattle feed. It is known
that this feed increases the milk yield.
VI. Various parts of the plant body have a high medicianl
value and are used in the Ayurvedic system of medicine.
Income & Employment Sericulture
The net income expected through Sericulture
isRs.60,000-75,000 Rs. per year / acre

5 Persons could be employed through

out the year, per acre

Sericulture Provides gainful occupation to around

63 Lakh persons in rural and semi-urban areas in
India.
The ISEPC was established by the Government of
India in 1983 with the prime object of promoting and
regulating the exports of natural silk goods.

Today 2000 firms are members of the ISEPC and US $

500 million worth of silk goods are exported annually to
more than 100 countries.