Farmers in Uttar Pradesh's Lakhimpur Kheri district are increasingly turning to silk farming as a fresh source of income. The Central Silk Board, under the Government of India, has rolled out a special campaign called 'Mera Resham, Mera Abhimaan' in the district, aimed at teaching farmers scientific and modern sericulture methods to boost their earnings. The drive is focused on increasing both silk and cocoon production.
What Farmers Stand To Gain
Under the campaign, farmers are being trained in the latest silkworm-rearing techniques so they can produce better-quality cocoons. Notably, farmers can take up silkworm rearing alongside their regular farming, without needing to set aside separate time for it. The entire training is being offered completely free of cost, making it accessible even to farmers with limited financial means.
A Push For Women's Empowerment
Special emphasis is being placed on promoting women-led silk production ventures as part of the campaign. The goal is to make rural women self-reliant and connect them with self-employment opportunities, so they can earn alongside managing household responsibilities. In line with this, women in the district are being continuously made aware of silk production as a livelihood option.
Training Also Covers Disease Control
The campaign isn't limited to boosting output. Farmers are also being trained to identify diseases that affect silkworms and to control them effectively. Alongside this, they are being taught clean rearing techniques and better maintenance practices, which helps cut losses and improves overall profits.
3,800 Farmers Onboard, District Climbs To Fifth Spot
Currently, 3,800 farmers in Kheri district are engaged in silkworm production. This has helped the district climb to the fifth position in silk production within Uttar Pradesh. Efforts are continuing to bring more farmers into the fold so that a larger number of people can take up silkworm rearing and earn a good income. Since there is steady market demand for silk, farmers face no difficulty selling their produce either.
Deputy Director Explains The Campaign's Plan
Deputy Director Arvind Kumar said the 'Mera Resham, Mera Abhimaan' campaign was launched specifically to promote silk production in Kheri district. Under it, farmers are being trained and connected with modern techniques so that silk and cocoon output rises along with their income. This training is being conducted at the Saidapur Deokali government silk farm. He added that women are being specially made aware of silk production to help them become self-reliant, so they can earn a good income alongside their household work.
How Much Does Silk Sell For
Sharing price details, the Deputy Director of Silk said good-quality silk sells for around ₹400 per kilogram in the market, while medium-quality silk cocoons fetch between ₹200 and ₹250 per kilogram. According to him, farmers face no trouble selling their produce, which is why silk production in Kheri district continues to grow steadily.
