Growth of Silk Production in India

Silk,ahighly priced agricultural commodity, accounts for about 0.2% of the total world production of textile fiber. Since sericulture stands next to agriculture for rural employment in India, it becomes a matter of concern to examine the sericulture production trend over the years and reasons for slow growth. The data for the study period 1980-81 to 2005-06 collected from Annual Reports of Central Silk Board were partitioned in two equal halves, the first 13 years (1980-81 to 1992-93) and next 13 years (1993-94 to 2005-06). Data were analyzed using Linear and Exponential model for comparison of production trend during first half and second half of the period of analysis. The trend speaks of faster growth rate during first half in comparison to 2^nd half. The declining growth rate is going to affect the silk industry at national and international levels. Production trends are different for different silk types. These are required to be discussed in view of developing strategies for reaching new height of production and to withstand the global competition.