IAS Gyan

Daily News Analysis

ReshaMandi

22nd July, 2021 Agriculture

Context

  • More than 12,000 sericulture farmers in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra currently use the artificial intelligence-based application, ReshaMandi.
  • Reshamandi is helping sericulture farmers get better prices for their produce to ensuring quality of cocoons and yarn to reelers, weavers and retailers.

 

Silk

  • Silk is a natural fiber that consists of fibroin, which is the protein some insects secrete to make cocoons.
  • Essentially, the fiber is the material these insects produce to make their cocoons and nests.

 

Sericulture

  • Sericulture, the production of raw silk by means of raising caterpillars (larvae), particularly those of the domesticated silkworm (Bombyx mori).
  • China is said to be the origin of sericulture. In India the cultivation dates back to 140 AD.

Types of Silk

  • India produces all the four types of silk i.e.
  1. Mulberry silk (91.7%);
  2. Tasar silk (1.4%);
  3. Eri silk (6.4%); and
  4. Muga silk (.5%)
  • Mulberry Silk –Mulberry silk is the softest and the most durable fabric.
  • Eri Silk – Another name for eri silk is peace silk because its production does not include the killing of silkworms. It is heavier and more durable in comparison to mulberry silk.
  • Tasar Silk – India and Japan produce this variety of silk. Green silkworms are the producer of Tasar silk.
  • Spider Silk – It is the most expensive variety of silk. Manufacturers use spider silk to produce microscopes, bulletproof vests, etc.
  • Muga Silk – The natives of Assam produce this variety of fabric using semi-domesticated muga silkworms.
  • Sea Silk – Another name for sea silk is mussel silk since species of mussel of the Mediterranean Sea produce it.
  • Coan Silk – Silkworms, which feed on oak, pine, and juniper trees produce coan silk. This variety is found in Greece, Turkey, and Italy.

Central Silk Board is a statutory body established under the Central Silk Board Act, 1948. It functions under the aegis of Union Ministry of Textile. It is a national organization for overall development of silk sector in India.

 

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/agriculture/sericulture-farmers-see-20-higher-prices-on-the-back-of-reshamandis-digital-support/articleshow/84525437.cms