Scenario of Mulberry and Cocoon Production in Major Silk Producing States of India-Application of Exponential Growth Function

Background/Objectives: Sericulture is an important livelihood option for the farmers of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Jammu Kashmir, formally traditional sericulture states.

Methods/Statistical analysis: Data on mulberry area, production, productivity and cocoon production, productivity was collected for the period 1971-72 to 2008-09 and analyzed by break down of data into 4 equal periods of 10 years for knowing significant causes behind increase or decrease in the parameters studied using exponential growth rate.

Findings: All the traditional sericulture states, exhibited significant positive growth in the area under mulberry, production and productivity during the Period II. Karnataka (-0.14 %) and Tamil Nadu (-1.41 %) have exhibited negative growth rate with respect to area under mulberry cultivation during period 1971-72 to 2008-09 due to factors like acute water shortage, non-availability of labors, reduction of fertile land to real estate and volatile cocoon price and for the same period India has exhibited a significant and positive growth in area (1.65 %), production (4.05 %) and productivity (2.32 %). Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal have exhibited positive and significant growth in Cocoon production and productivity during study period. At national level Cocoon production (4.08 %) and productivity (2.41 %) have seen significantly positive trend during study period.

Improvements/Applications: The study highlights the need of sericulture friendly policy interventions in the traditional states especially Karnataka by assuring minimum price for Cocoon thereby reducing the volatility in the prices.