Hi-tech silk market will come up in Ranebennur soon

Dharwad: To promote sericulture and reduce reliance on Chinese silk, the Union and state governments have launched a number of initiatives to assist farmers interested in sericulture. This apart, the government by establishing silk markets has walked an extra mile linking the farmers with the market and fetching them remunerative price.
To promote sericulture and reduce reliance on Chinese silk, the Union and state governments have launched a number of initiatives to assist farmers interested in sericulture. This apart, the government by establishing silk markets has walked an extra mile linking the farmers
with the market and fetching them remunerative price.
Karnataka Silk Marketing Board chairperson Savita Amarshetti stated that the government is establishing silk labs to ensure the quality of the silk in order to help Indian silk growers find an international market. The government has decided to build a high-tech silk market in Haveri district's Ranebennur. This market will be built on a 15-acre plot of land at a cost of Rs 5 crore. Chief minister Basavaraj Bommai will soon lay the groundwork for the silk market.
Savita said there are not many takers for sericulture due to climatic condition and nature of the soil in North Karnataka. However, the department has documented the success stories of the sericulturists and held interaction programme with farmers to attract them towards sericulture. This to some extent has helped in enhancing silk production.
In Dharwad district, 228 farmers in 83 villagers have grown mulberry shrubs (Hippu Nerale) in 413 acre land which is useful for sericulture. Haveri tops the list in North Karnataka for having the highest number of sericulturists. Over 2,500 farmers have started sericulture. For the year 2021-22, they have produced 1,331 tonne cocoons. Considering this, the chief minister has sanctioned a hi-tech silk market to Konebevu in Ranebennur taluk. The market is coming up under the assistance of the government and NABARD, she said.
The Silk Training Centre at Rayapur has its jurisdiction over nine districts in North Karnataka and the resource persons are visiting the rural parts and educating farmers on sericulture.
Union Silk Board Joint Director Uday Javali said that India imports 65% of its silk demand from China.
To reduce this, the Centre has been promoting ‘desi’ (indigenous) silk and facilitating the growers with several initiatives and incentives. Karnataka promises to be a sericulture hub, the Centre is granting 115 automatic silk reeling machines. The demand for silk is growing and hence, sericulture offers bright prospects, he added.