Karnataka Plans to Expand Mulberry Area to 10,000 acres; Hi-Tech Cocoon Market Planned in Shidlaghatta Town

Mulberry cultivation will be expanded by 10,000 acres in Karnataka, with the establishment of six cocoon testing centres, a high-tech cocoon market, and cold storage units. The assistance of Rs.10 crore will be provided to silk growers to establish 32 automatic reeling units in order to help them produce quality raw silk using modern technology. 

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai announced the expansion of mulberry cultivation to 10,000 acres in his State Budget for 2023-24. Currently, 1.39 lakh farmer families work in sericulture on an area of 1.15 lakh hectares in the state, producing approximately 9,686 tonnes of raw silk.

"A hi-tech cocoon market will be constructed in Shidlaghatta, which will be Asia's second largest cocoon market, at a cost of 75 crores with NABARD assistance for the benefit of silk growers in Kolar, Chikkabalapura, and neighbouring districts," Bommai announced.

The state has already implemented an e-auction and e-cash payment system to ensure scientific prices for silk growers and market transparency. Six cocoon testing centres, a high-tech cocoon market, and cold storage units have also been built.

A further 10 crore will be provided to assist silk growers in producing quality raw silk using modern technology by establishing 32 automatic reeling units. A further 12 crore is set aside to provide shredders to 1,000 silk growers, according to Bommai, who also stated that an 8 crore grant will be provided to strengthen infrastructure in the Mysuru seed area to support continuous production and supply of cocoon seeds.

In addition, a 5 crore grant will be provided for the installation of a hot air conveyor dryer in 10 major silk growing areas of the State to ensure the long-term preservation of cocoons and better prices for farmers.

With the Centre announcing a duty reduction to encourage prawn exports, Karnataka intends to establish prawn farming clusters in the Kalyana Karnataka districts of Yadagiri, Raichur, and Bellary. "A Seafood Park will be established under Public Private Partnership (PPP) at Kambadakone in Bynduru taluk to encourage value addition and export of fish," he said.