Irate ryots say support price for silk only in speeches not in action

Mysuru: There was heated exchange of words between the silk growers and the officials at the Sericulture Farmers’ Reshme Krishi Mela and Award Ceremony held at the Central Sericulture Research and Training Institute (CSR&TI) premises in Srirampura here on Sunday. Even as Central Silk Board Chairman K.M. Hanumantharayappa started highlighting the importance of Sericulture Farming and how it brought remunerative prices to the farmers at a function organised by CSR&TI and Department of Sericulture, the farmers participating in the programme, upset with his statement, raised objections.

In raised voices the farmers said that it was due to the irresponsible behaviour of the Government and officials that farmers were put to severe hardship. The farmers are not able to recover the costs incurred growing Sericulture crops. It is only in speeches that silk cocoon is a profitable venture, they charged.

Farmer Shivaraju, who had come from Bhadravathi to attend the Reshme Krishi Mela, said that he was also a silk farmer and to grow one kg of silk, it costs approximately Rs.270. “We have to pay a fee of Rs.30 to sell it. It costs Rs.300 a kg. If the efforts of the family who are also involved in silk farming are included then the cost touches Rs.400 a kg. However, we get just Rs.318 a kg. How can one survive on this? Farmers are not getting support price for the crop. No Government has worked in the interest of the farmers. If the silk farmers’ interest has to be protected then at least Rs.450 per kg Support Price has to be given,” he urged.

Another farmer, echoing Shivaraju’s sentiments, said: “silk is being imported from China. As a result it is affecting the local farmers. The silk growers are not getting suitable price in the country. The Governments should stop importing silk and introduce policies to encourage the local farmers.”

Ramanagaram’s Ramakrishna said that those who are running chat centres have built three-storey buildings, whereas those growing silk continue to stagnate. Silkworm eggs must be distributed by the Department itself and it should not be given to private players, he insisted.

Ministers inaugurate: District Minister G.T. Devegowda inaugurated the Sericulture Exhibition and Sericulture Minister S.R. Mahesh inaugurated the Sericulture Farmers’ Reshme Krishi Mela.

Speaking at the interaction session between Sericulture scientists and Sericulture farmers, Hanumantharayappa said that Sericulture Farming is profitable provided one uses proper equipment and modern technology methods. The Government provides subsidy and other                              facilities, he added.

Mayor Pushpalatha Jagannath, Deputy Mayor Shafi Ahmed, Central Silk Board Member K. Mudde Gowda, Sericulture Development Commissioner K.S. Manjunath, CSR&TI Director Dr. R.S. Teotia and others were present.

Expo draws attention: Sericulture farmers visiting the exhibition were provided information on silk worms only food, the mulberry leaves and research and latest developments in Sericulture. They were also told about the pest attack on mulberry and control of diseases. The nearly 30 stalls in the exhibition also showcased the research on Bivoltine Sericulture technologies for higher returns by CSR&TI and the equipment that were being used.

Awards to farmers

The following progressive farmers were distributed awards on the occasion: Woman Silk Growers: C.V. Veeramma (first), Devamma (second), Kotramma Sangappa (third); Men Silk Growers: K.N. Jayarama Reddy (1st), Srinivas (2nd), Manjnuath (3rd).

Mysuru’s Silk Growers: Murthy Naik (1st), Revanna Siddaiah (2nd), Bevinaguddaiah (3rd);

Bivoltine Silk Growers: H.R. Krishnamurthy (1st), H.C. Mohan (2nd) and S.S. Doddegowda (3rd).

Cocoon Breeders in Traditional Growing Areas (Cottage Basin): Varadaraju (1st), N. Sampath (2nd), S.K. Chand Pasha (3d); Multi-end: Lakshmamma (1st), H. Rangaswamy (2nd), N. Govindaraj (3rd); Self-propelling reeling unit: Syed Azam (1st) and Syed Mohammed (2nd).