Despite being the world’s second-largest producer of silk, India faces high demand and often imports silk from other countries.
India’s textile ministry is exploring innovative ways to boost silk production by considering the use of castor leaves instead of traditional mulberry leaves favoured by silkworms. This initiative aims to enhance employment opportunities in the country’s sericulture industry, which currently supports around 9.2 million people in rural and semi-urban areas. Despite being the world’s second-largest producer of silk, India faces high demand and often imports silk from other countries.
The ministry’s proposal involves launching a pilot project in Bihar, starting in Bhagalpur, a significant region for castor production. If successful, this project could expand to other parts of India, promoting castor as a viable alternative for silk production. Known as eri silk, the fabric produced from castor leaves offers qualities akin to wool, making it suitable for winter wear due to its softness, warmth, and durability.
According to sources involved in the project, the textile ministry plans to initiate this pilot project within the early days of the newly formed government. They highlight the potential benefits of diversifying silk production beyond mulberry silk, thereby reducing dependency on a single source.
Furthermore, castor plants are prized for their versatility; besides silk production, their seeds are used in medicine and lubricants, and their stems are utilised for making thatched roofs. This versatility could offer additional economic advantages to farmers beyond silk production alone.
The project’s proponents emphasize the importance of adapting silk production methods to utilize India’s natural resources more efficiently, potentially transforming the country’s silk industry while benefiting local economies.