The story
Farmers in Ramanagara, Kanakapura, Magadi and Channapatna taluks have reared silkworms on mulberry for generations. The government cocoon market in Ramanagara town grew into one of Asia's largest, where farmers sell cocoons to reelers through open auctions. Reeling units in and around the town turn cocoons into raw silk for weavers in Bengaluru, Mysuru and Kanchipuram. The market now uses e-auctions.
In numbers
About 10,000 sericulturists sell an average of 45,000 kg to 50,000 kg of silk cocoons a day at Ramanagara through e-auctioning.
Silk Industry in India: The Story Behind the Sheen (TERI) · 2021
Ways in for a newcomer
- Set up a multi-end or automatic silk reeling unit
- Supply chawki (young silkworm) rearing services to farmers
- Trade raw silk to weaving centres
- Make products from silk waste and pupae
Problems the cluster faces
- Cocoon price swings
- Pests and silkworm diseases
- Imported Chinese raw silk
- Water and labour shortages