Sericulture has become a rapidly growing industry in Kashmir, which is giving good profits to the farmers. Shabnam Javed has shared important information related to this field.
Agriculture includes many things from growing crops to animal husbandry, fish farming and poultry farming, along with this, sericulture i.e. silkworm rearing is also becoming a profitable business related to farming. In Kashmir, it has become a rapidly growing industry, which is providing livelihood to thousands of Kashmiris. Shabnam Javed, who does silkworm rearing, shared important information about the flourishing sericulture industry in Kashmir.
How is silk made from insects?
Let us first know how silk is made from sericulture. First of all, the silkworm eggs are placed on mulberry leaves. Then the small larvae that emerge from the eggs, called larvae or caterpillars, eat the mulberry leaves and start growing. These larvae make a silk cocoon, in which they go into the pupa stage. Then silk filaments are extracted from these cocoons, which are processed to make silk thread. Beautiful saris and dresses are made from these threads.
This entire process takes place through sericulture, and it can be seen as a profitable agricultural business. Sericulture is a great way to provide a stable income to farmers.
Kashmiri silk is famous all over the world
In India, silk is produced mainly in Assam, Punjab, Kashmir and Karnataka. Most of the silk is produced in Karnataka, but the most famous is Kashmir silk. Shabman Javed, who is associated with sericulture, says that Kashmiri silk is famous all over the world.
He explains that silkworms are produced through eggs and they have to go through four stages. The first stage is to put the eggs on mulberry leaves. In the second stage, as the eggs grow, their feed has to be increased. In the third stage, the insects are separated for their proper development, and in the fourth stage these silkworms start weaving silk.
This entire process is possible through sericulture, and the specialty of Kashmiri silk gives it a special place all over the world. The silk obtained from these insects is produced twice a year, once in June and the other in August.
Mulberry silk is the best
In Kashmir, sericulture is usually done on mulberry leaves. Shabnam Javed explains that silk is actually a fiber made from the protein of an insect, and the best silk is made from the larvae of insects that grow on the leaves of the mulberry tree. The silk that the insect makes after eating mulberry leaves is called mulberry silk.
She says that the silk of Kashmir is famous all over the world and Kashmiri silk is used to make the most expensive sarees. This white colored silk is not only known for its excellent quality, but its fragrance and shine also make it special. Therefore, mulberry silk farming and sericulture, especially in Kashmir, has become an important agricultural business, which has made Kashmir’s identity all over the world.
Silkworm production is increasing rapidly in Kashmir
Shabnam says that the sericulture industry is growing rapidly in Kashmir. In the year 2020-21, 798 metric tonnes of silk cocoons were produced, which shows the growing impact of this industry. He says that the youth who want to join this business can set up a silkworm unit by contacting the Sericulture Department. Shabnam also started her unit with the help of the Sericulture Department and now she likes this work very much. According to him, now his unit has become very big and his family members also cooperate in this work.
He explains that when the silkworms make silk, they have to be picked up and dried in the sun and then it is marketed in the month of September. Thus, this industry related to silkworm rearing (Sericulture) in Kashmir is not only encouraging the agricultural sector but is also generating local employment and sources of income.
Types of silkworm
There are mainly four types of silkworms-
Mulberry silkworm – (Mulberry silkworm) is the most common silkworm, which eats mulberry leaves and produces the most silk in the world. Mulberry silk is made from the cocoon of Bombyx mori silkworm. This silk is considered to be the best natural silk in the world, and is used to make expensive clothes.
Features
Clothes made from it can be used in every season.
It is cool in summers and warm in winters.
Also, it has a woolen or cotton-like texture.
It is heavier than other silks.
The natural properties of this silk make it soft on the skin i.e. wearing it does not cause itching or irritation.
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