Journal of Environment and Sociobiology

Kunal Sarkar ¹, S. K. Chattopadhyay ¹, G. Baur ¹, Subrata Trivedi ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Sericulture, Krishnath College, Berhampore, Murshidabad-742101, West Bengal, IN

Abstract

Sericulture is an age old industry in West Bengal. At present mulberry is cultivated in 33560 acres of land and 107000 families are engaged in mulberry sericulture. Estimated mulberry raw silk production during 2004-2005 was 1520 MT (10.39% of total mulberry raw silk production in India). But still a heavy decline in sericulture is seen in West Bengal. In 1997-1998 mulberry was cultivated in 53,395 acres (21358 ha) of land but it is now reduced to merely 33560 acres of land. There are several factors behind that downfall of sericulture in this state. Lack of adoption of improved sericultural practices may one of them. Hence, in the above context it is worthwhile to conduct research studies in two major traditional districts of West Bengal i.e., Malda and Murshidabad. The present study was conducted in the Nabagram Block of Murshidabad district and Kaliachawk Block-2 of Malda district to assess farmers' knowledge and their adoption level in respect of recommended sericulture practices so that field extension workers could develop appropriate educational approaches to upgrade their adoption level for increasing the cocoon yields, thus aiding in generation of higher income and employment among the rural mass. The findings of the present study indicated that only 50% of big farmers and 25% of small farmers had planted improved variety of Mulberry and followed recommended spacing and recommended system of planting. The present study also reveals that farmers have very low level of knowledge with respect to work spacing, number of feeds, types of leaves to be fed to different instars, leaves preservation methods, number of bed cleanings, temperature manipulation measures and prevention measures for various silkworm diseases. In general, irrespective of the category, sericultural farmers are not applying recommended dosage of fertilizers to mulberry crop.

Keywords

Sericulture, Traditional District, Recommended Practices.

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S. K. Chattopadhyay ¹, K. Sarkar ¹, R. Chattopadhyay ¹, G. Baur ¹, S. Trivedi ¹, S. Roy ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Sericulture, Krishnath College, Berhampore, Murshidabad-742101, West Bengal, IN

Abstract

Sericulture has been fully recognized as an important rural as well as household industry in India. It is a labour intensive, export oriented cottage industry, generating high employment and income per unit area of land. One hectare of mulberry land can generate employment to at least 13 persons per year. Women have played a significant role in this industry. Nearly 60% work of this industry is done by women only. In West Bengal, Malda is the biggest traditional district of sericulture. The present study was undertaken at Sujapur of Malda District as Sujapur is one of the main areas of Malda where sericulture is practiced in large scale. The main objective of the study was to examine status of women engaged in sericultural industry in terms of their educational level, income, nutrition, health and hygiene as nutrition and health are directly correlated with socio-economic status of a person and also affect the production of a farm. The present investigation indicates that 88% of women belonging to small farmers are illiterate. Even 8% of women belonging to big farmers are having education up to primary level. Maximum women of small farmers are found to come from the family income group of rupees 1501-3000 per month, while women belonging to big farmers are from the family income group of rupees 3001- 4500 per month. 72% of women belonging to small farmers and even 60% of women from big farmers are having body weight below normal. These findings are similar in case of blood pressure also. This study is a clear indication of alarming situation of sericultural women in major sericultural belt in West Bengal.

Keywords

Sericulture, Women, Income, Education, Health.

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