Mulberry tops among cash crops with higher income

The farmers have expressed their satisfaction in the yield as well as the return compared to other cash crops.

According to officials, the mulberry cultivation, silkworm-rearing and cocoon production have improved the livelihood of the farmers, particularly with the subsidy provided by the state government to establish the shed for rearing the silkworms and to distribute the raw materials, including the tools.

The training for the farmers has increased the income compared to the other crops like sugarcane and tapioca.

As many as 395 farmers have been involved in mulberry cultivation in 773.80 acres of land in Tiruchy district, particularly in the regions like Marugapuri, Manapparai, Vaiyampatti, Lalgudi, Mannachanallur, T-Pettai, Thuraiyur, Thottiyam and Uppilyapuram.

In 2018-19 alone, 62 tonnes of silk to the tune of Rs 1.84 crore has been produced.

The officials said that mulberry cultivation in one acre would support an average of 1,200 Venpattu eggs in which at least 960 kg cocoon would be harvested which is sold at Rs 400 per kg.

Silkworms are caterpillars that spin a silk cocoon and change into silkworm moths while inside their cocoon.

“The total income from cocoon-rearing in an acre stands at Rs 3.84 lakh and the expenditure including the maintenance would be Rs 1.50 lakh and the profit is Rs 2.34 lakh. Thus, the income level would be higher than any of the farmers,” said Velusamy, official-in-charge of Sericulture Department in Tiruchy.

Velusamy further said that the department has studied the mulberry production in the district for the year 2019-20 and awarded the first prize to K Shanmugavel, a farmer from Musiri, who has been cultivating mulberry in three acres through drip irrigation.

He has produced 1,428 kg cocoons and earned Rs 4.98 lakh. While M Ganesamurthy from Pallakadu village in Srirangam received the second prize with the production of 396 kg cocoons in one acre cultivation and earning Rs 1.53 lakh.

The officials said that the state government has been providing a subsidy up to Rs 52,500 for cultivation, 100 per cent subsidy for the drip irrigation process and providing periodical training for the improvement in harvest and adopting the latest technology.

As many as 73 farmers have received the subsidy from Tiruchy district.