Quote:The revival of Asia’s largest Sericulture Farm in Odisha
Updated: Mar 15, 2021 3:36 PM

India is the second-largest producer of silk yarn in the world after China. In 2017-20, the Indian government allocated Rs 2161.68 crore under its Central Sector Scheme 'Silk Samagra' to promote silk production.

By Dr Yatharth Kachiar

... In collaboration with the TATA Steel Foundation, the district administration in Jajpur (Odisha) is reviving Asia’s largest sericulture farm at Sukinda. ... 
A small district in Odisha, Jajpur is also home to Gopalpur Tassar Fabrics, one of the country’s leading Tassar producing centres. The famous Gopalpur Tassar fabrics, known for their artistic hand spun and hand reeled yarns, received Geographical Indication (GI) tag from the central government in 2009. After its revival, the Sukinda sericulture farm spread in an area of 298 hectare will act as a demonstration park and leading sericulture hub in the country. It will have world-class spinning and reeling facilities, a cocoon bank, and a high-quality plantation for silkworm rearing, as per the district officials. Advanced technology such as geofencing and drone technology is being used to ensure proper demarcation, monitoring, tracking, and capturing of plantation activity in a phase-wise manner.
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(The author is an independent researcher. She is also a Doctorate from JNU, New Delhi. Twitter: @YKachiar . Views expressed are personal and do not reflect the official position or policy of the Financial Express Online.)