COLLEGE OF FORESTRY, OUAT

BHUBANESWAR

ORISSA UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE

AND TECHNOLOGY

Assignment on:
“Marketing Prospects Of Tassar And Silk In Odisha
And India”

COURSE NAME :- NON-TIMBER FOREST PRODUCTS

SUBMITTED TO SBMITTED BY
Dr. Ranjan Kumar Kar, Prachyaparasmit
Assistant Professor Pradhan

College of forestry, Adm. No – 191710016

OUAT, Bhubaneswar 3rd Yr [Link]. Forestry
College of forestry,
OUAT, Bhubaneswar
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

This assignment would not have been possible without the

essential and gracious support of Dr. Ranjan Kumar Kar
Assistant professor . His willingness to motivate me
contribute tremendously to my assignment. I also would like
to thank him for giving valuable facts, ideas and examples
related to the topic of this assignment.

Finally, I would like to thank my family and friends for

their understandings and support towards me for completing
the assignment.
SL NO. PAGE NO

1 Introduction 1-2

2 History of Sericulture in India 2

3 History of sericulture in Odisha 3

4 Growth of Textile Industry Since Independence 3-4

5 Domestic consumption , External trade 4-5

6 Silk Industry in India 5-6

7 Export and import performance of silk 6-8

8 Status of sericulture in Odisha 8-10

9 Reference 10

CONTENT

TABLES
Table. 1 Performance of sericulture sector & achievement of silk industry during the
plan period
Table. 2 &3 Import of raw silk

Table. 4 Export of raw silk in India

Table. 5 Silk production in India

Table. 6 State wise Raw Silk production during 2012-13 to 2015-16

Table. 7 Activities taken under Tasar Sector

Table. 8 Achievements of Tassar in Odisha from 2008 to 2014

 INTRODUCTION
Sericulture is the science that deals with the production of silk by rearing of silkworm.
Sericulture plays a vital role in the flow of income from the urban-rich sections of the society
to the rural poor, as demand for silk is largely from the higher-income group. Sericulture is
one of the oldest agro-based cottage-industry in India and probably dates back to the
beginning of the Christian era. Scientifically, sericulture can be defined as “art and science of
silkworm rearing” for the production of raw silk. Tasar silk, was known as “Kosa” silk in
ancient India and is also known as Vanya silk [Vanya means forest in Sanskrit] or Wild silk
and alternatively spelled as tussar, tussah, tushar, tusar, tassar, or tussore across various parts
of the world, in modern times. There is very limited data about the history and time of
origination of tasar silk. However, inferences can be made that it was discovered in the
medieval times. Before the medieval age, there weren’t any traces of silk being made from
natural or artificial objects. Tussar silk is produced in various countries like China, India,
Japan and Sri Lanka. India is the only country producing all four varieties of silk that is
Mulberry, Moga, Tasar and Eri. Tasar has apparently originated from the Sanskrit term
“Trasara” meaning shuttle. The master creators of the world famous Indian tasar belong to
aboriginal forest populous who have been rearing tasar silkworms for centuries. India is a
land of rich cultural heritage and citizens here are fond of traditional fabrics which are either
handspun or derived from natural and indigenous sources. Tusar silk is a non-mulberry silk
known for its structure, texture, luster and the natural golden color which is exquisitely rich
and deep. It is highly durable and has the highest wear-resistance due to its short fibers. It has
an unusual glittery gold brilliance. Enough said, it is of an extremely rich quality, drawing
great demand for itself due to it’s physical attributes. Tushar silk variety is produced from
tropical silk worm [Scientific name- Antherea mylitta] and temperate silkworm [Scientific
name- Antherea proyeli j.] They feed and breed on Arjun trees [Terminalia arjuna], Asaan
trees [Terminalia tomentosa] and Oak trees [Querecus sp]. It is used to make sarees, dresses,
gowns and various other clothings. Surprisingly, it is also added to soap for a more luxurious
feel.

India is one of the largest producers of tasar silk with different sericulture activities being
carried out in various states such as Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Orissa, Chhattisgarh and
Madhya Pradesh. India has enormously increased the production of silk. In FY 2008
production volume of the silk stood at 428 MT which in the FY 2019 stood at 2981 MT.
Jharkhand is the largest producer of tasar silk in India with about 80% contribution to the
production, followed

by Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Madhya Pradesh. Tusar production is an integral part of rural art
and culture which provides employment to the weak and marginalized sections of the society,
engaging 11 people for every kg of raw silk produced. The tribal and rural women are trained
in traditional methods of extracting silk from cocoons. Tasar sericulture engages tribal
families of Jharkhand in economic activities such as raising silkworms and harvesting their
cocoons, extraction of thread and dying, spinning and weaving of fabric so obtained. Tasar
sericulture helps in keeping rural inhabitants and denizens employed and engaged in
economic activities. It also prevents rural migration to bigger cities in search of viable jobs
and contributes in securing a moneymaking occupation. The investment required is relatively
small and the produce provides raw materials to the textile industry all over the world. Tasar
sericulture is a form of cottage industry been extensively practice across the tasar-silk
producing states. It is agro-based and labour-intensive industry employing lakhs of families
in Jharkhand, Bihar, Orissa, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh,
differing from one season to another.

History of Sericulture in India

According to history and tradition, sericulture was first originated in China as early as 2640
BC and is introduced by the queen of China, Hoshomin. For a long time, the Government of
China considered sericulture as a national secret and it was unknown for the other countries
as an industry (Ravikumar A, 2011). The knowledge of silkworms and its product reached
Japan through Korea in the 3rd century AD and later into Europe (Bukhari and Kaur, 2019).
According to the reports, about 400 years back the sericulture was introduced into India and
till 1857 this industry was first flourished as an agro-industry with an annual production of
two million pounds of silk fiber. During the period of 1857- 1895, this industry has survived
the onslaught of Pebrine disease. After 1928, due to the fierce competition from advanced
sericulture countries like Japan, China, and other European countries, there is a decline seen
in the sericulture industry. But again, after the independence, this industry started flourishing
as an agroindustry and it also helps in giving employment to over 7 million people in the
country (Ravi kumar A, 2011).

History of sericulture in Odisha

According to the historical research, the Tamralipta port of Odisha is famous for the
export of China and India silk goods to Egypt and Rome through the sea route by both direct
as well as transit trade and this trade relationship between Odisha and Rome is justified by
the remnants of Sisupalgarh and through the description of Chinese visitor Huen Tsang to
Odisha. Later Romans learned the art of sericulture from China which results in the end of
the trade relationship between Odisha and Rome from around the 6th century. Several
archaeological pieces of evidence that include lithographic recordings, palm leaf inscriptions,
remnants of ancient structures, etc., and also the culture, tradition, and festivals observed by
the present inhabitants recalling the glorious past are the proofs that Odisha had a fabulous
wild silk thread long ago (Dash et al, 2018). The princely state of Mayurbhanj is considered
to be the origin of Tasar sericulture in Odisha which received Royal patronage from the
Bhanja dynasty (640- 1952 AD) (Dash et al, 2018; Sahu, 2015). Then it started spreading all
over India and also the tribal peoples of many districts of Odisha like Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar,
Sundargarh, Dhenkanal, Angul, Deogarh, Sambalpur, Jajpur, Boudh, Sonepur, and Nuapada
have practiced this technique. According to the folklores and palm manuscripts of Odisha, the
Tasar cocoons were collected by the Adivasis (tribal people), then it was processed by the
Patras (weavers) and are then traded by the sadhabas (traders) who’re traveled overseas for
their trade (Dash et al, 2018). According to Thomas Wardle’s “wild silk of India (1880)”
about 3.3 MT of Tasar was produced in the Sambalpur area and it was reported that the
Modal race contributes the best cocoons. In 1910, according to the Bengal District
Gazetteers, the tasar rearing was the traditional occupation of many forests dwellers and in
Bonei, Bamra, Dhenkanal, Gangapur, Mayurbhanj, Narsinghpur, Nilgiri, Pal lahara,
Rairakhol, and Sonepur area it is considered as one of the main Minor Forest Produce
(MFPs). The mulberry sericulture in Odisha was introduced with the establishment of
Mulberry Demonstration Firms (MDF) during the sixth five-year plan. During the 1940s, the
former Bihar- Odisha Government introduced Eri silk culture in Odisha and was practiced by
the tribal peoples of Odisha as a part of their occupation for a source of their income
generation (Dash et al, 2018).
Growth of Textile Industry Since Independence

After independence, the cotton textile industry made rapid strides under the Plans.
Between 1951 and 1982, the total number of spindles doubled from 11 million to 22 million.
It increased further to over 47 million by 2011-12. The Indian textile sector plays an
exceptionally significant role in shaping the economy of India notably in terms of
employment, foreign exchange earnings and share in value added. This sector is the second
largest sector after agriculture. It has come of age and is gaining acknowledgment on the
world platform with excellent textiles manufacturing base and availability of massive raw
material. India being the second largest producer of cotton in the world, makes it self-
sufficient, by providing a competitive edge to its competitors worldwide in terms of cost of
raw materials. Along with abundant cotton production, India has the availability of highly
skilled labour at very low prices (Texsummit, 2012).

Domestic consumption
The total Indian consumption of textiles and apparel is estimated at Rs. 2.85 lakh crores,
out of which apparel retail contributes Rs. 2 lakh crores, technical textiles contributes Rs. 50
thousand crores and home textiles contributes Rs. 35 thousand crores. The market has grown
at an annual growth rate of 13 per cent, since 2005-06. The domestic consumption has been
propelled by several factors such as growing consumer prosperity and awareness, increasing
availability of product variations, catching up with international trends, growth of organized
retail, etc. On the basis of these factors, it is estimated that the Indian domestic consumption
will become Rs. 5 lakh crores by 2016 growing at an overall annual rate of 12 per cent
(Government of India, 2013).

External trade
Indian textile and clothing exports have come a long way in the last decade or so,
tripling the exports value in this duration. Indian textile and apparel as an export category has
excelled several large textile producers of past including Germany, Italy, USA, Turkey, etc.
The reasons for excellent growth of textile and apparel exports from India is the country‟s
strong raw material base, design and skill heritage, manufacturing capacities that are flexible
for small orders, manpower cost competitiveness and government‟s incentive schemes for
export promotion. India imports textile and apparel goods to the tune of Rs. 20 thousand
crores, which comprises mainly of products like high end woolen / worsted fabrics, coated
and performance fabrics, other technical textile and speciality products, fine cotton yarn dyed
fabrics, premium and super premium garment categories, etc. The main reason for imports is
the non-availability of the above said products. In recent years, even some inexpensive
articles like raw silk, other fibres, basic fabrics and garments have also made inroads from
suppliers like China (Gherzi Report, 2009). With dismantling of the quota system in January
2005, investments in the textile sector have been raising and the export percentage too has
increased drastically. Other government initiatives such as setting up of Special Economic
Zones (SEZs) for textiles, and allowing 100 per cent foreign direct investment (FDI) in the
textile sector have not only helped in creating opportunities for Indian entrepreneurs, but also
for global investors. The structure of worldwide trade in textiles also marked a significant
turn out after this period, as all the textile and clothing products can be traded globally
without quota-restrictions. The elimination of quota restrictions on the export of textiles
under the Agreement on Textile and Clothing (ATC) did facilitate India in escalating its
market share of its major importers, but the growth rate remained much below expectations.
The dismantling of the quota regime symbolizes both an opportunity and a threat. It can be an
opportunity for the reason that markets will no longer be restricted and, also the domestic
market will be exposed to competition. At domestic front, robust economic growth, rising
demand, increasing consumerism, expanding organized retail and textile SEZs would provide
healthy atmosphere for the growth of industry, whereas it also acts as a threat, as markets will
no longer be assured by the quotas (Mayer et al., 2008).

Silk Industry in India

Silk is a lustrous, tough, elastic fibre produced by the larvae of silkworms; the term also
covers the thread or cloth made from this fibre. The silk industry originated in China, as early
as 2640 BC according to tradition. Towards the 3rd century AD, knowledge of the silkworm
and its product reached Japan through Korea; it probably spread to India a little later. India is
the largest consumer of silk in the world. Silk is a unique fabric which has gradually crept in
everybody's home in some way or the other. The Indian silk industry is an integral part of the
Indian textile industry and is among the oldest industries in India. It engages around 60 lakh
workers and it involves small and marginal farmers. Indian silk industry is the second highest
contribution of silk to the world production. Consistent market demand and remarkable
approach has led to the widening of this industry (Bhushi and Pharsiyawar, 2004). Silk is
mainly produced in Pochampally, Kanchipuram, Dharmavaram, Mysore, etc., in South India
and Banaras in the North for manufacturing garments and sarees. "Murshidabad silk", famous
from historical times, is mainly produced in Malda and Murshidabad districts of West Bengal
and woven with hand looms in Birbhum and Murshidabad districts. Another place famous for
production of silk is Bhagalpur. The silk from Pochampally is particularly well known for its
classic designs and enduring quality. The silk is traditionally hand-woven and hand-dyed and
also usually has silver threads woven into the cloth (Sastry, 1984). Among the four varieties
of silk produced, in 2014-15, Mulberry accounts for 74.51% (21,390 MT), Tasar 8.5% (2,434
MT), Eri 16.5% (4,726 MT) and Muga 0.55% (158 MT) of the total raw silk production of
28708 MT. Production of raw silk in India during the year 2015-16 (April to August- 2015)
has been 9,590 MT in which, mulberry and Vanya raw silk output amounts to 7,053 MT and
2,537 MT, respectively.

Export and import performance of silk

India exports considerable quantity of silk goods and the value of these silk goods is more
than 15 per cent of the total raw silk production. India‟s export includes Dress Materials,
Readymade Garments, Saris and Made-up articles for interior decoration. India‟s export has
adequately progressed during the study period with both quantity and value of export
showing high and significant growth. This increased growth is also accompanied by higher
volatility. India exports mainly to 10 countries viz., USA, UK, Hong Kong, German People
Republic, Italy, France, Spain, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Singapore. The share of total Indian
exports to these 10 countries constitutes 80 per cent (Table 1, 2 and 3).
 The Indian silk goods are being exported to the traditional major markets like the USA
and European countries and small markets of Asia Region. The silk goods export earnings
decreased over the years due to global recession. The export earnings during 2014- 15 were
Rs.2,829.88 crores. Export values of silk goods during XI Plan and during the first 4 years of
XII Plan are given below: Table 6 shows an increase in the import of silk yarn and fabrics
from the year 1999-00 to 2006-07. The import of silk yarn and fabrics was 1.62 in the year
1999-00 and it rose to 23.59% in the year 2006-07 (Table 4 and 5).
.
 (Table. 6 State wise Raw Silk production during 2012-13 to 2015-16)

Status of sericulture in Odisha

Three types of silks are cultivated in Odisha that is Mulberry, Tasar, and Eri and all
these types of silk differ in their food plant, duration of the life cycle, quality of cocoon, and
yarn i.e size, weight, texture, color, strength, etc. (Dash et al, 2018; Sahu, 2015). In rural
sections of Odisha, silk cultivation has a huge potential to generate employment opportunities
on a massive scale. Here, sericulture is a livelihood activity that goes around the year and
provides remunerative income to the farmers. In Odisha, there are about 15,000 traditional
families who are involved in silk rearing and about one lakh people actively practice
sericulture providing indirect employment to an equal number of reelers, spinners, and
weavers. At present, tribal and some non-tribal people under the BPL category are practicing
sericulture and producing silk cocoons with the support of the Government of Odisha. There
are four major identified eco-races found in Odisha as Modal, Laria, Daba, and Sukinda out
of which Modal and Laria are wild eco race Antheraea paphia, whereas Daba and
Sukindadaba are semi-domesticated eco-races of Antheraea mylitta D (Dash et al, 2018). The
activities taken under Tasar sector is given in the Table no- 5 and the activities taken under
Eri and Mulberry sector is given in the Table no. 7.

Tasar
Odisha has a rich heritage of Tasar culture. In 1952, Tasar culture was first started in
Odisha by the princely state of Mayurbhanj under the Royal patronage of the Bhanja dynasty
(Sahu, 2015). Odisha holds the third position in Tasar production in India, contributing 107
MT of Tasar in 2015-16 (Dash et al, 2018). In different parts of northwest Odisha, namely
Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj and Sundargarh districts, Tasar rearing is one of the important
traditional occupations of indigenous communities which produce 90 percent of the total
Tasar production in the state. There is more no. of the scheduled cast and scheduled tribe
families practicing Tasar culture in fourteen hilly districts of Odisha such as Mayurbhanj,
Balasore, Keonjhar, Sundergarh, Deogarh, Anugul, Jajpur, Boudh, Sonepur, Kalahandi,
Nuapada, Nawarangpur, etc. The number of Tasar reeling cocoons produced in Odisha during
2019-20 is 1303.34 Lakhs (Odisha Economic Survey, 2020).
 ( Table. 7 Activities taken under Tasar Sector)

(Table. 8 Achievements of Tassar in Odisha from 2008 to 2014)

 CONCLUSION
Sericulture industry with its agricultural part of mulberry cultivation, silkworm egg
production and silkworm rearing as well as industrial sector of cocoon processing and
reeling involves a long chin of highly skilled operations. The success is dependent at the
integration of all the associated activities. A glance on the sericultural activities of Maida
district reveals a sordid picture of all the components. The same old traditional practice
continues to exist except a few who are adopting new technologies. The physical constraints
and the poor financial status of sericulturists appear to be impediments in their efforts to
change over to modern methods of mulberry cultivation, silkworm rearing, reeling and
weaving. The lack of efficiency in the sericulture managements in establishing a symbiotic
relationship between the administrations of the support system is one of the basic maladies
that have afflicted the growth of the industry.
The practices of mulberry cultivation have practically remained unchanged in Malda
district for years. Many farmers are rather incapable of uprooting the existing '·· ·· · mulberry
variety to replace with the high yielding new varieties. Similarly, even though the farmers
are aware of the inputs they are not in a position to provide the same. This is due to several
constraints. Scarcity of the underground water and unpredictable rainfall has added new
dimensions to the problem. As a result, the quantity and quality of mulberry leaves
produced by the majority of the farmers in Malda district remains to be sub-standard. The
prevailing favourable agro-climate in major part of Malda district encompasses vast scope
for improvement of the yield and productivity in sericulture. This is possible through
intensifying the farming practices which, however, can not be done through singular
approaches such as introduction of high yielding varieties, or application of fertilizers, or
irrigation or any other measure in isolation. Intensive farming in real sense could therefore
encompass an integrated approach, through the integration of other aspects of soil health
care with the application of bio fertilisers and organic matter, balanced nutrient
management, crop canopy development and micro-climate management, and leaf quality
improvement along with suitable measure for disease and pest management.
Similarly, silkworm rearing practices have not changed much in Malda district due to
the absence of independent rearing houses with many farmers. In addition, the 291 quality
of silkworm egg produced has not altered much since several years. The efforts to introduce
high yielding varieties of mulberry and silkworm have met with little success. Besides, the
cocoon processing and reeling technologies remains the same. In view of the static
conditions of the above components, adoption of new technologies has become a matter of
debate among the scientists and the administrators. Consequently, the organizational
support system is concerned in spending time and money to maintain the status quo. The
yield gap continues to be wider and sericulturists keep suffering as their profession
continues to be a risky operation due to frequent crop failures. Considering the acreage of
mulberry and the number of layings produced and brushed, the annual production figures
of cocoons and the silk appears to be depressing compared to the established norms
prevailing in China and Japan. In addition, the international agreements viz., GATT, WTO etc.
will do have their impact on the domestic sericulture of Malda district also. Inspite of the
present buoyant sericulture environment the industry has attracted large number of private
entrepreneurs and NGO's. This implies a significant expansion opportunities for sericulture
development and sincere efforts are required to reorganise and restructure the support
system on a rational basis.
In this context, it may not be out of place to mention here that the new technology
developed in India should be considered as an outstanding achievement of very great
economic value, not only to India but also to all sericultural countries of the world in the
tropical zone since the same has been tested and found successful in Sri Lanka, Malaysia,
Bangladesh, etc. The new rearing technologies developed for tropical sericulture have
opened up new vistas for tropical zones to go in for bivoltines to meet the requirement of
quality raw silk by the weavers. There is an Immense possibility for application of these new
rearing technologies in Maida district.
The success of rapid expansion programmes undertaken by the government agencies,
the sustaining efforts of R&D establishment to upgrade the technology will certainly yield
rich dividends in our goal to expap.d market and to penetrate new ones by establishing
mutual interaction in the long chain of interdependent activities. Then it is possible for the
sericulture industry ofMalda district to shed its image of having a distinction of low unit
production as well as the producer of indifferent grade of silk and changes over to high
quality final products that can be accepted by the average consumer in the International
community.
 REFERENCE

1. H. H. Ninga Setty, D. L. (2019). Empowerment of tribal communities through

sericulture programmes in Jharkhand State. IRJDO- Journal of Social Science and
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2. Aiyaswamy PK. 1980 Income and employment potentials of sericulture in
Coimbatore district. Abstract, Processing symposium and seminar on sericulture,
Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, 239-243.
3. Commissions of Sericulture (2007)- Potential for Participation of Women in
Sericulture Sector, Keynote address presented on National Conference on Women in
Sericulture, Mysore, 16-17th March 2007.
4. Bukhari R, Kour H. Background, current scenario and future challenges of the Indian
silk industry. International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied
Sciences,2019:8(05):2448-2463.
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Research,2018:8(2):163-170.
THANK YOU