Central Silk Board aims INR 110,000 Cr value chain

India exported silk worth INR 2,300 Cr during FY 24-25 and plans to exceed INR 2,500 crore in FY 25-26 according to the Ministry of Textiles.

P. Sivakumar, Member Secretary, Central Silk Board said, “India currently produces 41,121 metric tonne of raw silk, of which over 70% is mulberry-based, while the remaining is eri, taser and muga. The production outlook for 2030 was 54,000 metric tonnes”.

Central Silk Board is a body that works under the Ministry of Textiles and is responsible for the overall development of India’s sericulture.

“India produces high quality natural silk. The commodity has huge commercial value in the domestic as well as international markets.

The board is looking at increasing the production of silk across the country by increasing land under cultivation and also enhancing productivity of existing silk farms across the country,’’ he added.

Mechanisation and use of technology will be given priority to meet the targets, said the Secretary.

All States, except Rajasthan (because of its warm weather), are producing silk while Gujarat is the latest entrant with 100 farmers farming eri (castor plant-based) silk.

Neelam Shami Rao, Secretary, Ministry of Textiles and Chairperson, Textile Committee said, “India’s silk industry was already experiencing growth through increased production, diverse applications and government initiatives like Silk Samagra and almost all the States were participating in silk production and new districts being added to the silk production map”.

“We have added over 50 new districts on silk maps of the country over the last five six years and now we have some 476 producing districts,” added Ms. Rao.

Editor’s Note

India has been famous for its silk sarees for centuries. Emperors and Queens have been portrayed to have used silk in their attire and costumes since time immemorial.

Traditionally, silk sarees have been used in Indian Weddings and family events, with prices ranging from INR 1,000 to INR 10 lakhs per piece.

While more than 90% of silk sarees are sold through semi- and unorganised retail stores, branded players have upped their ante over the years.

Reliance Retail’s Avantra, Aditya Birla Retail’s Tasva, Jaypore, Samoh by TATA Group’s Trent, BIBA, Fab-India, Manyavar, Ethnix by Raymond are some of the key organised players in the segment.