The Central Silk Board (CSB) demanded crop insurance shield for the development of Indian silk.
Addressing the 20th Congress of the International Sericultural Commison (ISC), H Hanumanthappa, Chairman, CSB, said that irregular rainfall, drought and mortality of silkworms due to epidemics necessitated crop insurance.
Since India has to import approximately 9000 tons of silk, Hanumanthappa appealed government to protect sericulture industry under market intervention and to fix a minimum support price for the crop. Currently India produces 16,500 tons of silk.
He added that researchers should develop robust mulberry breed suiting drought, alkaline, acidic and water logging conditions.
India has yet to evolve healthy silkworm breeds that can be flourished under high temperature, high humidity and in disease prone regions.
Even after WTO era has announced free market, Hanumanthappa demanded specific code of conduct among participating countries to support developing nations, where silkworms provide bread and butter to millions of people.
20th Congress of ISC comprises 14 nations including India and France and more than 250 silk researchers are likely to read their research papers. The Congress would also discuss silk trade between ISC member countries.
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