Context

The Central Silk Board (CSB) under the Ministry of Textiles and the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on a convergence model for implementation of Agro-forestry in the silk sector under the ongoing Sub-Mission on Agroforestry (SMAF) Scheme.

Background

What is Sub-Mission on Agroforestry (SMAF) Scheme?

• Sub-Mission on Agroforestry (SMAF) aims to encourage farmers to plant multi-purpose trees together with the agriculture crops for climate resilience and additional source of income to the farmers, as well as enhanced feedstock to inter alia wood based and herbal industry.
• The Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare (DAC & FW) is implementing the Sub-Mission on Agroforestry (SMAF) since 2016-17 as part of the recommendation of the National Agroforestry Policy 2014.
• At present, the scheme is being implemented in 20 States and 2 UTs.

Important facts about silk production China, Korea, Japan, India, Iran, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, and Brazil are the largest Silk Producing Countries in the world. India is the 2nd largest producer of Silk. The first silk textile mill was established by “East India Company” at Howrah in 1832. India is the only country in the world which produces all the four major varieties of silk - Mulberry, Eri, Tassar, and Muga. Silk producing states: The Bihar, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Tamil Nadu, and Orissa are other states prominent in silk manufacturing. Production: India's raw silk production increased 35 per cent in the last six years. Employment: Six years ago, 70 lakh people in India were employed in this sector whereas 90 lakh people are currently employed in the segment.