Tussar Silk Production: Farmers of tribal areas of Jharkhand, making their livelihood through silkworm rearing

Tussar silk, you must have heard this name. Today, farmers of tribal areas of Jharkhand are making their life better with this. Forests play an essential role in the livelihood of tribal farmers. Woods are not only available from forests, but they also have an essential contribution to silkworm rearing.

Jharkhand is at the forefront of Tussar silk production, that is, the maximum Tussar silk is made here in the country. The unique thing is that the silkworm extracted from this silk is not reared on the mulberry (mulberry) tree but on Sal, Arjun, and Asan trees. All these trees are local trees of Jharkhand.

This is the reason why Tussar silk is produced the most here. Tribal farmers make sarees, tablecloths, covers, and other garments from this silk and sell them under the Palash brand. This is improving their standard of living.

Silk Production in Khunti District

Tussar has been the first choice of people fond of wearing clothes made of silk. Even today, silk sarees are very much liked by women. Jharkhand ranks first in the country in sericulture, and it is also the primary means of livelihood for the tribal farmers here.

Sericulture and silk products are being promoted through DAY-NRLM. The effort is to improve the standard of living of the farmers. Tussar silk is produced more in Khunti and surrounding districts of Jharkhand. Tussar silk is also called wild silk. The reason for the popularity of Tussar silk is its rich texture and deep golden color, which together make it very beautiful.

Silkworm rearing on local trees

For Tussar silk, silkworms are reared on local trees such as sal, arjuna, and asan. To increase the farmers’ income, the state government took two blocks of Khunti district, Murhu, and Rania, under the silk project. It is the result of such efforts that today, around 1182 farmers are increasing their income by getting involved in Tussar silk production.

A team of experts and volunteers was formed to motivate the farmers for silk production. Along with making the farmers aware about the new methods of farming, this team also works to train them. Initially the tribal farmers were not ready to adopt the new methods of farming, but gradually some farmers came forward and then the number reached 1182.

Cocoon Splitting

For silk production, the cocoons obtained from the first silkworm are divided into A, B and C categories on the basis of their physical appearance. Accordingly, the price is also fixed. A, B and C category cocoons are sold at Rs 3.2, Rs 2.39 and 50 paise respectively. The average cost of 100 cocoons ranges from Rs.260 to Rs.270. The cocoons are then sent to cocoon banks for reeling.

The product obtained from this i.e., silk thread is sold at the rate of Rs 1200 per kg. Wearers and other household clothes are woven from this tussar silk. This work gives farmers a profit of about Rs 19,300 in a season.

The government plans to connect about 25,000 farmers with this campaign. Along with this, help will also be given to sell their products under the ‘Palash’ umbrella brand. The tribal farmers of Jharkhand can surely be given a means of sustainable livelihood by promoting silk production.

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