Vol. 12, Issue 4 (2023)

Author(s):
Jatin Kumar Swain, Hasansab A Nadaf, Vishal Mittal, Kiranmaya Pradhan, Chowdary NB, Sathyanarayana K and Venugopal A

Abstract:
The five different types of silk-mulberry, eri, muga, tropical tasar and temperate tasar-are uniquely produced in India (Selvaraj et al., 2020). Tropical tasar sericulture encompasses the cultivation of plants that serve as the hosts for tropical tasar silkworms, the rearing of silkworms for the production of raw silk, the preparation of disease-free layings (seed), and the reeling of cocoons for the subsequent processing of raw silk for weaving (Vishaka et al., 2021). Several states namely Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal, practise it (Nadaf et al., 2019). Favorable climate and participation of the cooperative sector in this field will lead to the development of silk industry to a greater height. This sector is regarding to set most appropriate while available of good quality of seed for farmers. As we know if the seed is good then 60% problems solved before rearing. Basically, Sundargarh district rears two tasar crops all year long. In addition to taking up third crop in a very small number of places, the first crop (Ampatia) is known as a seed crop and the second one (Daba) is known as a commercial crop and is widely reared. In tasar sector, Central Silk Board alone is meeting the requirement of entire nucleus and part of basic seed in the country for multiplication and further production for supply of commercial DFLs to the rearers. There was a need to explore alternative ways of including States/ NGOs/ Societies/ SHGs, Private Graineurs, etc. in order to broaden the supply source and increase the production of tasar basic seed to meet its expanding demand. Different Tasar Seed Production and Extension Centres (TSPECs), also known as Pilot Project Centres (PPCs), were established in this direction. Department Of Handlooms. Textiles and Handicrafts, Govt. of Odisha established 15 nos PPC in all over odisha for fulfilling the requirement of basic DFLs in odisha. NGOs also involve in this movement for supplying basic DFLs to the seed rearers in Banspal block of Keonjhar district and also some part of Lahunipada block of Sundargarh district. As performance of ecoraces varies with regions and seasons, the maintenance and multiplication of basic seed under different tasar growing locations will enhance overall productivity of the country besides replenishment of breeder’s stock within the time schedule. The maintenance and multiplication of basic seed stock of Daba ecorace under different parental lines over varied rearing seasons and regions can open avenues for choice of appropriate and suitable line for optimal exploitation of commercial cocoon production and productivity.