Abstract

The sericulture industry is unique for many reasons; is a highly valued textile fibre of animal origin based on agricultural output including, cocoons and cottage based labour intensive in nature is used almost entirely for the production of high quality textiles. In this paper, the present status of the sericulture industry in India and sericulturally advanced countries in Asia, their pace of trends in mulberry area and raw silk production, position of global silk scenario and marketing behavior have been reviewed and analysed. Besides, debating issues like potentiality of higher concentration of raw silk production; its comparative study among traditional and major producers of silk, reasons of fluctuations in production and productivity, impacts of global trade policy including imports and exports competitiveness and the emergence and application of new synthetic fibres as a fashion material have been identified. An attempt has been made to formulate a strategic model to recognize the potential strength and challenges of sericulture in India and Asian Region to enhance productivity and quality of silk products.

Key words: Silk worms, Cocoons, Mulberry, Textile fibre, Synthetic fibres, Intensive agro-based industry.