In Udumalai, Tiruppur district, silkworm farmers call for government subsidies owing to a sharp decline in cocoon production and prices exacerbated by extreme heat.
Coimbatore: The silkworm farmers in Udumalai and nearby areas of Tiruppur district, generating over 3000 acres of cocoons throughout the year, currently face significant challenges.
The prevailing extreme temperatures have adversely affected cocoon production. High heat-induced stress is causing silk worms to prematurely die and the cocoons to become smaller in size compared to previous years.
Production that once yielded up to 90 kilograms of cocoons from 100 egg batches has now dwindled to merely 30 to 40 kilograms. Meanwhile, prices have plummeted from an average of Rs. 700 per kilo to just Rs. 450. Consequently, farmers urge the Tamil Nadu government to provide subsidies for young silk worms and to supply technological equipment at subsidized rates to protect the silkworm breeding environments from heat impacts. They suggest adopting measures similar to the supportive schemes in Karnataka, which include product distribution and financial incentives.
The prevailing extreme temperatures have adversely affected cocoon production. High heat-induced stress is causing silk worms to prematurely die and the cocoons to become smaller in size compared to previous years.
Production that once yielded up to 90 kilograms of cocoons from 100 egg batches has now dwindled to merely 30 to 40 kilograms. Meanwhile, prices have plummeted from an average of Rs. 700 per kilo to just Rs. 450. Consequently, farmers urge the Tamil Nadu government to provide subsidies for young silk worms and to supply technological equipment at subsidized rates to protect the silkworm breeding environments from heat impacts. They suggest adopting measures similar to the supportive schemes in Karnataka, which include product distribution and financial incentives.