Farmers asked to produce quality silk

Pithapuram (East Godavari): Senior Sericulture scientist Dr N Mali Reddy of Central Silk Research and Training Institute, Bengaluru has advised farmers to shift to rearing bivoltine cocoons to improve silk output, to produce silk of international quality and to enjoy good market.

He was addressing farmers at an awareness programme held at silk research station in Chebrolu on Saturday under the aegis of the Central Silk Board.

He sensitised farmers on modern silk production methods. Joint director of silk research station Chinne Satyanarayana presided. Malireddy said efforts were on to set up silk cocoon production and silk reeling at the research station in Chebrolu. An incubation center is going to be set up to overcome problems in transportation of silk cocoons.

He asked farmers to take up rearing silk worms, which suit their atmospheric conditions as per the advice of scientists.

The high-yielding bivoltine variety of seed was invented in 1995. About 100 cocoons yield 65 kg of silk. In 2000, it was improved upon to achieve a silk yield of 70 to 75 kg from the given number of cocoons. The silk farmers of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka are using the variety on a greater extent, he said adding the variety of CFR 16x17 is being developed this year.

Another scientist Purushottam made several suggestions to farmers on improving quality of cocoons and their storage.

The scientists answered several queries of farmers.

Sericulture deputy director O Dhanraj, scientist TVS Srinivasa Rao, Assistant sericulture officer Koneti Appa Rao and others took part in the programme.

Silk farmers of Chebrolu area submitted a memorandum to the deputy director seeking benefit to them under the NREGS. They also brought to the notice of officials the problems being faced by tenant farmers.