Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 2 Jul: In a move aimed at bolstering silk production, the Uttarakhand Cabinet, under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami today sanctioned a substantial increase in the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for silk cocoons. This annual revision, undertaken routinely by the Sericulture Department, is aimed at promoting sericulture in the state.
The revised MSP, applicable across all grades, marks a considerable rise over the previous year’s rates. Grade A cocoons will now command Rs 440 per kilogram, a rise from Rs 400. Grade B cocoons have been revised from Rs 370 to Rs 395 per kilogram, while Grade C has increased from Rs 280 to Rs 290, and Grade D from Rs 230 to Rs 240 per kilogram.
Agriculture Minister Ganesh Joshi briefed the media after the cabinet meeting, stating that the Cabinet meeting was convened solely to deliberate on this matter. He emphasised that the hike, being part of an established annual routine, is expected to significantly aid in enhancing silk output across Uttarakhand. At present, Dehradun and Bageshwar serve as the principal cocoon-producing districts. However, the Minister expressed optimism that this financial incentive would encourage broader participation among sericulturists throughout the state in the coming years.
Emphasising the ‘exceptional’ quality of Uttarakhand’s silk, Joshi noted that sarees woven from the state’s cocoons are increasingly sought after, not only within Uttarakhand but also in other parts of the country. He added that participation in national expos has helped boost visibility and turnover for local producers of silk and silk products. The government, he claimed is also prioritising the timely supply of cocoon seeds to farmers, and so far, no concerns have been raised regarding seed availability.
