The Ministry of Textiles has set an ambitious target to make India the world’s leading silk producer by 2028-29. Union Minister Giriraj Singh announced this goal while inaugurating the 77th Foundation Day of the Central Silk Board in Bengaluru. The move aims to significantly boost income for sericulture farmers across the country.
The targets and plans
India’s silk production has grown from 26,000 metric tonnes in 2014 to 42,000 metric tonnes currently. The government now plans to increase this to 60,000 metric tonnes by 2030-31, and become the world’s largest silk producer by 2028-29.
The Ministry intends to achieve this through several measures:
- Raising farmer incomes to between ₹10 lakh and ₹12 lakh annually by improving mulberry leaf yield and increasing cocoon rearing cycles
- Introducing high-yielding silkworm hybrids and modern machinery directly to farmers
- Using technology such as artificial intelligence, geographic information systems and machine learning to monitor quality and boost production
- Organizing ‘Best Silk Farmer’ award competitions at district, state and national levels to encourage competition
Karnataka currently leads India in silk production. The Ministry is also focusing on strengthening the entire value chain from sericulture through to reeling and weaving, with plans to expand the textile market to 300 billion dollars.
What this means for you
If you are a silk farmer or weaver, these plans could mean better access to improved seeds and equipment, along with opportunities to earn significantly higher income. The ‘Best Silk Farmer’ awards could provide recognition and financial incentives for those adopting modern methods. For consumers and businesses, increased domestic production may eventually lead to more affordable Indian silk and reduced dependence on imports, while export opportunities for Indian silk are expected to grow as global demand rises and Chinese production declines.