The Ministry of Textiles has announced ambitious targets to elevate India to the number one position in global silk production by 2028-29, with a specific production target of 60,000 metric tonnes by 2030-31. This represents significant growth from current production levels of 42,000 metric tonnes, which itself marks a substantial increase from the 26,000 metric tonnes produced in 2014.
Union Minister of Textiles Shri Giriraj Singh outlined the government's commitment to expanding the sericulture sector and improving economic outcomes for silk farmers. The strategy includes enhancing mulberry leaf yield and increasing cocoon rearing cycles, with an aspiration to raise annual farmer incomes to ₹10-12 lakh. The minister emphasized the growing international demand for Indian silk, particularly as China's production declines, and called for organizing 'Best Silk Farmer' award competitions at district, state, and national levels to foster competition among sericulture farmers.
Sushri Shobha Karandlaje, Union Minister of State, highlighted Karnataka's leading position in national silk production and the government's focus on infrastructure development and industrial growth in the sector. The adoption of modern technologies and high-density production methods aims to produce silk meeting global export standards, thereby enhancing domestic production and reducing import reliance. The government is implementing subsidy and quality improvement schemes for MSME-registered entrepreneurs in the sector.
Technological integration forms a key part of the strategy, with the introduction of high-yielding silkworm hybrids and machinery, alongside AI, GIS, and Machine Learning technologies for quality inspection and production capacity enhancement. The government's broader priorities include strengthening the entire value chain from sericulture to reeling and weaving, expanding the country's textile market to $300 billion, ensuring minimum economic security for weavers and workers, providing market access to local producers, and generating new employment opportunities in sericulture and textile industrial sectors.
The 77th Foundation Day program of the Central Silk Board included the inauguration of an exhibition of silk products and technologies, exchange of Memorandums of Understanding with various organizations, distribution of appointment letters to 28 scientists, conferment of awards to outstanding employees and stakeholders, and the release of various publications and periodicals.