Agricultural Colleges Introduce Sericulture Courses for Sustainable Farming

Sericulture Courses Prepare Students for Sustainable Agricultural Entrepreneurship

Sericulture, the practice of breeding silkworms for raw silk production, is gaining traction as a sustainable income-generating option, particularly in farming regions grappling with water scarcity. Recognizing its potential, several agricultural colleges have introduced courses on sericulture and moriculture, the cultivation of mulberry leaves essential for feeding silkworms, to encourage agri-business ventures among rural youth.

In Tamil Nadu, sericulture has proven to be a valuable supplement to paddy-based farming systems, especially in the Cauvery Delta region, where farmers face challenges such as water shortages, climate change, rising input costs, and limited economic returns. According to Rajkumar, principal scientist at the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation in Pudukottai, sericulture offers a cost-effective solution. An initial investment of less than ₹15,000 is sufficient to cultivate mulberry and rear silkworms on one acre of land, with the perennial crop supporting silkworm rearing for up to 20 years. Mulberry plants, once six months old, can produce leaves of the required quality for silkworm rearing.

To tap into its economic potential, agricultural institutions are increasingly incorporating sericulture into their curricula. For instance, Dhanalakshmi Srinivasan Agriculture College in Perambalur offers a hands-on course in commercial cocoon production as part of its B.Sc. Agriculture programme. Students cultivate mulberry gardens and rear silkworms using eggs sourced from certified chawki centres. “This practical exposure excites students as they apply textbook knowledge to real-world scenarios,” said K. Haripriya, assistant professor in the Department of Agricultural Entomology. She added that sericulture enables students to generate income and create employment opportunities even during their college years.

At Palar Agricultural College in Vellore District, sericulture is taught as a business-oriented subject. The college has set up a mini-unit where students gain practical experience in cocoon rearing and silk extraction. Similarly, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) offers degree and diploma programmes in sericulture, equipping students with both scientific knowledge and entrepreneurial skills.

Rajkumar emphasized that sericulture-focused courses address rural unemployment by fostering entrepreneurship. Graduates are equipped to engage in various activities, including mulberry cultivation, silkworm rearing, cocoon harvesting, silk reeling, and weaving, thus contributing to rural development and self-reliance.