Mysuru: With the demand for silk increasing, the country is forced to import it from China to meet the shortage, said Central Silk Board (CSB) Chairman K.M. Hanumantharayappa (in pic).

Addressing a press conference at CSRTI premises on Jhansi Lakshmi Bai Road, here this morning, he said, the aim of the CSB is to see that it meets the demand, improve silk production in the country and train sericulturists.

There is a shortage of 3,000 to 4,000 metric tonnes of silk and since it is being imported from China, we are paying Rs. 400 to Rs. 500 more per kg, he said. Giving details on the Sericulture scenario in the country, Hanumantharayappa said that the mulberry cultivation has gone up from 2.09 lakh hectares in 2015-16 to 2.17 lakh hectares in 2016-17. The raw silk production of mulberry varieties like Bivoltine and mulberry-crossbreed and other varieties had gone up from 28,523 to 30,348. However, in this period, exports had come down from Rs. 2495.98 crore to Rs. 2093.42 crore. But it has generated an employment of 8.51 million in 2016-17 up from 8.25 million in 2015-16.

He however, pointed out that the GST of 5 per cent had affected the industry and he was planning to approach the Union Textile Minister Smriti Irani shortly to reduce it to 2 per cent.

CSRTI Scientists Dr. Murthy and Dr. B.T. Srinivas were present at the press conference.