Chapter #4

CHAPTER 4

PRODUCTION AND MARKETING OF

COCOON
4.1. Introduction

Silk is the world's leading textile material with distinct textures such as

natural light, pure colour, high absorption, light weight, soft touch, high stability, and

is known worldwide as the "Queen of Textiles" (CDAC, 2019). It is a natural protein

fiber that, in specific ways, can be intertwined into textiles. The silk protein fiber

consists mainly of fibroin and sericin and is produced from cocoons by insect larvae.

The structural core of the silk is fibroin and sericin are the sticky substance that

surrounds it (Liu and Zhang, 2014). Silk wares are very much famous for its unique

thermostatic characters. It has been playing a pivotal role in economic development

throughout the world. Among the different types of silks, mulberry is economically

very much famous for its havoc production. China, India, Uzbekistan, Brazil, Japan,

the Republic of Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, DPR Korea, Iran, etc. are major silk

producing countries in the world (ISC, 2013). Silk production by the mulberry worm

was first introduced in China about 3,630 B.C. and explored as the world’s largest silk

producing country (Clay, 2001). After China, India is the second largest silk

producing country .Of the four silk varieties produced in 2015-16, Mulberry accounts

for 71.8% (20434 MT), Tasar 9.9% (2818 MT), Eri 17.8% (5054 MT) and Muga

0.6% (166 MT) of the total 28472 MT raw silk output (CDAC, 2019). The most

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economically flamboyant insect, Bombyx mori L., belongs to the race of mulberry

silkworm. This domestic silk moth belongs to the phylum Lepidoptera under the

family Bombycidae and selects mulberry plants (Morus sp.) as host for completion of

their life cycles (Kumari et al., 2011). By 1MT mulberry leaves cultivation, total

cocoon yield has estimated to 25–30 kg in consideration of one case of eggs (Tuigong

et al., 2015). About 60% of the total cost of cocoon production was accounted for

mulberry cultivation and rearing of B. mori L. (Baruah & Gogoi, 2013). The quality

of silk cocoons depends on mulberry leaves (Shah, 2016). In India, more than 80% of

rural people are improving their socio-economic status through this agro-cottage

based technology hitherto (Patil et al., 2009). Silkworm rearing in Indian Sericulture

spreads throughout the subcontinent over some 60,000 villages but is mostly

concentrated among three states in southern India. Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and

Tamil Nadu account for nearly 90% of mulberry silk and West Bengal and Kashmir

and a few other states contributing 10% of the remaining (CSB, 2014).

4.2. The life cycle of silkworm

The silk moth's life cycle starts when eggs are laid by a female silk moth.

The caterpillar or larvae are hatched from the eggs. The silkworms feed on the leaves

of mulberry and produce pupa. In the pupa stage, the silkworm nets a tissue to hold

itself. After that, it swipes its head, spinning a fiber made of a protein and becomes a

silk fiber. Several caterpillars form a protective layer around the pupa, known as the

cocoon. The silk thread (yarn) is produced from the cocoon of the silk moth.

Voltinism is a term used to denote the number of an organism's broods or generations

in a year. The word is most widely used for insects and is used primarily in

sericulture, where varieties of silkworms differ in voltinism. Univoltine is referred to

as silkworm having one brood or generation per year. The silkworm having two life

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cycles or generations per year is known as Bivoltine (BV). The silkworm having more

than two broods or generations per year is referred to Multivoltine (MV) whereas

silkworm whose generation time is more than one year is known as semi-voltine

(CSB, 2014).

4.3. Cocoon production

Malda occupies an essential place in the State map for raw-silk yarn

production. The estimated annual production of raw-silk yarn in this District is

approximately 85% of the state's total output, which amounts to about 4 crores if

taken in terms of money. The climate of the area is rather extreme-very hot and humid

during the summer season, with abundant rains and moisture in the air throughout the

year. The annual rainfall is 1453.1 mm. (http://malda.gov.in/economy_about.htm).

Sericulture is a typical agri-business that plays a vital role in the rural economy in the

Malda District of West Bengal. Developing agencies are making concerted efforts to

introduce new techniques and innovations to make sericulture more remunerative,

recognizing the need to improve productivity in mulberry cultivation and silkworm

rearing (Ali et al., 2008). Women of this District are involved in several stages such as

mulberry plantation, weeding, leaf picking, leaf transportation, rearing of silkworms

and reeling (Hoque and Taufique 2018). Hoque and Taufique (2018) have reported

that Malda District has produced 1380.626 MT of raw silk, and 59,044 of rural

families depended on sericulture in the year 2011-12. Their studies have suggested

that there are various problems such as price fluctuation of the cocoon, labour

problems, financial problems, lack of storage facility, absence of training and

guidance center, lack of transport facility, etc. are strictly related to this practice.

Monir and Mandal (2016) have observed that Kaliachak-I block is the most rigorous

sericulture block in the District of Malda as well as in the State of West Bengal. There

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are four Technical Service Centre (TSC) of Sericulture that is established in this block

and developed as the biggest cocoon market in the State. In this block, nearly 70 % of

the District Sericulture was confined. Sarkar et al. (2008) stated that only 50% of

large farmers and 25% of small farmers planted improved mulberry variety and

followed the recommended spacing and planting process at Kaliachak-II block. The

total land has been recorded as 12,944.55 acres for mulberry cultivation. The local

types of the mulberry plant-like Kajli or Cherapata has been completely replaced with

the High Yielding Variety like S1and S1635 with the help of irrigation in the entire

block of Kaliachak–I and II. Though it has also been noted that C-2038 has been

recently introduced in the area of Kaliachak but still it is in multiplication stage. The

bulk of the rearing houses were situated next to the farmers' homes. Most

sericulturists prefer the crops of Aghrani (NxN / NxM12W) and Falgooni (NxF1) for

the appropriate climatic conditions and during these crop seasons, Bivoltine silkworm

breeds are raised. In Uttar Dinajpur District about 1146 acre land has been occupied

for mulberry silk cultivation and cocoon production is accounted for approximately

57.11 MT (Monir and Mandal, 2016).

4.4. World production

The International Sericultural Commission (ISC), which is the essential

source of data on silkworms, has ceased data collection and publishing since 2012.

Therefore, it is not possible to evaluate 2012-2017.

When the raw silk data of the world are examined, a similar result is found in

the production of wet cocoons. According to Tridge data, (Fig. 4.1) shows world raw

silk production between 1997 and 2016. China ranks first with approximately 360,000

metric tons of output and India is the second-largest producer with around 160, 80

metric tons of production. Uzbekistan, on the other hand, ranks third with 26, 81

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metric tons of production volume (Table 4.1). When raw silk and wet cocoon

production is evaluated together based on countries, it is seen that China and India

still maintain their traditional place in world production.

700000

600000
Volume (MT)

500000

400000

300000

200000

100000

Year wise Production

Fig. 4.1. Global Silkworm Cocoon Production Trend

4.5. World exports

According to ISC data in between 2007-2011, China's raw silk exports in the

world, the rawest silk export in 2011 was 10,305 tons. Italy is the second largest

exporter in 2011, with 719 tons of exports. Since the ISC, which is the most important

data source in the field of silk and silkworms, discontinued the data release after 2011,

the data for 2012-2016 could not be accessed.

Silk is a crucial textile raw material in the world and used in luxury

consumer goods. Silk products account for 0.2% of global textile output. Although the

share of silk in total textile products is low, silk products have a trading volume of

billions of dollars, and silk is approximately 20 times more valuable than cotton. The

countries with the highest silk consumption are USA, Italy, India, France and China.

China and India are also the largest manufacturers. Also, Italy, which has an essential

place in the global textile market, is one of the vital consumer countries in the world.

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Table 4.1. Global Silkworm Cocoon Market

Rank Country Production Volume Production Share 1-Year Growth in 3-Year Growth in Production Price
(metric volume) Production Production
1 China 394.41K 65.5% -0.6% +3.8% $6,294.60
2 India 154.80K 25.7% +0.4% +2.5% $3,910.60
3 Uzbekistan 26.81K 4.5% +6.3% +1.3% $0.00
4 Iran 12.35K 2.1% +3.6% +11.6% $7,039.20
5 Thailand 4.55K 0.8% -0.5% -1.2% $0.00
6 Brazil 2.86K 0.5% -5.0% +5.4% $1,701.50
7 Vietnam 2.54K 0.4% +0.4% +1.8% $0.00
8 Romania 1.14K 0.2% +0.4% +1.2% $0.00
9 North Korea 1.01K 0.2% +2.0% +12.7% $0.00
10 Afghanistan 646.00 0.1% +1.3% +3.4% $0.00
11 Cambodia 188.00 0.0% -1.1% +27.9% $0.00
12 Egypt 127.00 0.0% +0.8% +2.4% $27,907.80
13 Kyrgyzstan 123.00 0.0% +2.5% +23.0% $1,032.20
14 Japan 120.00 0.0% -11.1% -28.6% $16,629.50
15 Spain 90.00 0.0% +1.1% +3.4% $0.00

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 Manufacturers in the European Union receive direct income support of € 133

per box, provided that a minimum of 20 kg of product is obtained. No measures are

applied in the public administrations on the cocoons obtained by the producers and the

initiative is left to the producers in the use of the cocoons. In Iran, the government

promotes silk production by buying the cocoon at $ 3.5 and selling it to consumers at

a lower price. In China, where the market is the most developed in the world, cocoons

can be bought and sold in the market, and the share of the private sector is increasing

each year. Approximately 70-80% of the trade-in this country is carried out by the

private sector. In Uzbekistan, state-bought cocoons are produced.

4.6. PRICES

4.6.1. World wet cocoon prices

China's price policies are a determining factor in the world market. India,

which is one of the other major producer countries, is in the position of buying buyers

besides its current production due to widespread use. Uzbekistan determines prices, as

indexed to China and prices, are slightly lower here due to poor quality. In 2009,

China's cocoon was $ 2.5-3.0, while in 2010 it was purchased at $ 4.0-5.0. Other

important cocoon producers such as Uzbekistan, the Turkish Republics are applying

prices close to China’s prices. In 2010, fresh cocoons were purchased from the

producers in China between $ 3-4 in 2010 and between $ 3.5-4.5 in 2011. In

Uzbekistan, the production of wet cocoons is under the control of the state and the

state buys the produced cocoons from the producers and gives them to the market.

Purchase prices for wet cocoons are $ 1-1.5 below China. In 2012, the price in the

Chinese market was traded at an average of $ 5, although the price was up to $ 6,

depending on market conditions. Since the influence of China in the market in

Uzbekistan is high prices vary according to China's prices. In 2012, prices were

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around $ 3-4. In the last two years, purchase prices of Chinese age cocoons have been

around $ 6.5-7.

4.6.2. World raw silk prices

The global raw silk market is determined mainly by China. Silk prices in the

2000s also fell to $ 20 level. In 2009, China's raw silk yarn increased from $ 30-35 to

$ 45-50 by the end of 2010. In 2010, silk prices increased from $ 35.0 to $ 50-55 in

the second half of the year due to a production decrease of about 10-15% in 2010

compared to the previous year. After China, the second-largest silk exporter in

Uzbekistan, prices are adjusted according to China. Due to the lower quality, Uzbek

silk prices are about $ 7-10 lower than China and are at $ 40.0. In the middle of 2011,

raw silk prices started to decline and prices decreased by 20-25% at the end of the

year. At the end of 2011, and at the beginning of 2012, Chinese silk fell to about $ 40,

while Uzbek silk fell to $ 30. Towards the end of 2012, prices improved slightly. In

2013, a price formation of around $ 54-55 was observed and prices may change daily.

At the end of 2013, Indian raw silk prices were at the level of $ 52-54. In the last two

years, Chinese raw silk prices have been around $ 40-45.

4.6.3. World dry cocoon prices

The decline in silk prices in 1991 also affected cocoon prices. In the early

2000s, dry cocoon prices dropped to $ 2-3. Then, prices started to increase, albeit

slowly. Silk prices began to decline in mid-2011 and prices decreased by 20-25% at

the end of the year. Especially in recent years, there has been a significant increase in

raw silk prices. As of the end of 2014, the average dry cocoon price in India was

around $ 3-4.

4.6.4. World silk yarn prices

In addition to its current production, India imports around 15,000 tons of silk

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yarn annually. Prices vary according to the economic conditions, quality (A3, A4, A5,

A6) and denier (20/22, 40/44, 50/70) of the silk-producing companies.

In 2012, the average price of 40/44 denier raw silk A3 quality was $45, while

the average price of A5 grade 40/44 denier raw silk is around $ 50. Uzbekistan yarn is

about $10 lower than Chinese yarn and the price of A3 quality 40/44 denier raw silk

yarn was approximately $35 in 2012. Brazilian yarn, which has been at the forefront

with its quality so far, but whose production has decreased significantly in recent

years, is about $5-10 more expensive than Chinese yarn. Silk prices determined by

China and Uzbekistan, which carry out silk exports in the world, have a decisive

effect all over the world.

4.7. Cocoon marketing

Sericulture becomes in separable part of Indian life since centuries. Existence

of the same is found in earliest literature of human civilisation i.e. Rig Vedas and

epics. The existence of silk threads is found among debris in Harappan civilisation. It

implies that production and use of silk is as old as Indian Civilisation. Sericulture

industry provides employment to approximately 7.65 million persons in rural and

semi-urban areas in India. Of these, a sizeable number of workers belong to the

economically weaker section of society. Women participation is also notable. India’s

tradition and culture bound domestic market and an amazing diversity of silk

garments that reflect geographic specificity has helped the country to achieve a

leading position in silk industry. India has a unique division of being the only country

that produces all four types of commercial silk, namely, mulberry, eri, tasar and muga.

Among these varieties, muga with its golden yellow glitter is unique and found only

in India. About 30 countries are producing silkworms in the world. World cocoon

production between 2007 and 2011 is shown in Table-4.1 by countries. China ranks

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first in the world's wet cocoon production with an average annual production of 600-

700 thousand tons. India is followed by a production of around 130 thousand tons.

With these production values, it is understood that China and India realise most of the

world's output. Between 2008 and 2009, Uzbekistan is the third-largest producer with

25,000 tons of production. Although it is not possible to reach the country values for

some years, when the total production amounts from 2007-2011 were examined, it is

around 800.000 tons per year.

4.8. Mulberry silk production in West Bengal

The name of Mulberry silk comes from the mulberry plant whose leaves are

fed to the silkworm, B. mori L., who is constructing the silk. The mulberry trees are

grown, and these silkworms are specially cultivated for the production of silk, making

this the only type of domesticated silk. This is also the most popular silk form,

accounting for about 80% of the total raw silk produced in the West Bengal State

(Fig. 4.2). Malda, Murshidabad and Birbhum Districts have a historical heritage of

silk production since colonial times, and these traditional belts of West Bengal

continue to yield the bulk of the raw silk. In Uttar Dinajpur District seri-practice are

done both traditionally and non-traditional manner to achieve production goal (Fig.

4.3) with the aid of governmental agencies (Fig. 4.4).

Additionally, Murshidabad is renowned for weaving delicate silk fabrics

from the raw silk. Mulberry silk weaving is also carried out at Bishnupur in the

District of Bankura (Mitra, 2016). From silkworm rearing, cocoon production, reeling,

and twisting of the yarn to weaving and processing of the cloth, each stage is

characterised by a small scale of production, primitive technology, and labour-

intensive operations (Subramaniam, 1995).

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 180 160.00
160 137.80 140.00

Acre and Person Number

128.50 125.36
140 120.00
118.33 113.79

% Success Rate
120
96.00 93.29 92.25 98.40 100.00
100 87.51
80.00
80
60.00
60
40 40.00

20 20.00
0 0.00
New Extension (in acre)

No. of Farmers involved

New Extension (in acre)

New Extension (in acre)

New Extension (in acre)

No. of Farmers involved

No. of Farmers involved

New Extension (in acre)

No. of Farmers involved

No. of Farmers involved

2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19
Year wise area evaluation

West Bengal Area Total Evaluation Target

West Bengal Area Total Evaluation Achievement
West Bengal Area Total Evaluation Success Rate (%)

Fig. 4.2. New extension area and number of farmers involved in mulberry production

in West Bengal.

4.9. The role of women in production and marketing of cocoon in Uttar Dinajpur

District

Sericulture has a special industry for the vast employment and income-

generating potentialities. From a mere traditional practice, it has now shaped into

viable agro-industry. Sericulture is a labour-intensive agro-based activity and is also

industry (Kasi, 2000). It has a lot of steps such as cultivation of mulberry plants,

growing of silkworms, producing cocoons, and reeling of silk thread. Women play a

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 key role in sericulture industry. In India, women are mostly found as the major

activist in sericulture. Women constitute almost half of the population (men and

women ratio = 1.0: 0.933). About 380 million labour forces (15-59 years old) are

available in India, of which 51% is in agriculture and agro-based industry. The

majority of the labour force is village-based, accounting for a total of about 264

million, and rural women labor account for about 83 million, representing 31.5% of

the rural labour force (Source: Census report, Govt. of India, 1991). Sericulture has

been carried out in village that it helps largely employment to both skilled and

unskilled labour.

180
160
140
120
100
80
Total No.

60
40
20
0
Target

Target

Achievement

Target

Target

Target
Achievement

Achievement

Achievement

Achievement

2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19

Year wise targets and achievement

Area under Mulberry Plantation (in acre)

New Farmers Training imparted
Supply of Rearing appliances

Fig. 4.3. Last Five years targets and achievements of Uttar Dinajpur District

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 25

20

15
Total No.

10

0
Target

Target

Target

Target

Target
Achievement

Achievement
Achievement

Achievement

Achievement
2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19

Year wise targets and achievement

Sinking of Shallow Tube Well Supply of Pump Machine

Remodelling of Rearing house Bed Disinfectants support

Fig. 4.4: Last Five years Government supports for Sericulture activities in Uttar

Dinajpur

4.10. The role of women in production and marketing of cocoon in Malda

District

Malda is located between the latitude from 24°40´20´´ to 25°32´08´´ and

longitude from 87°45´50´´ to 88°28´10´´ by covering an area of 3,733.66 sq. km.

Malda is surrounded by Bangladesh in the east, Bihar and Jharkhand in the west,

North and South Dinajpur in the north and Murshidabad in the south. The total

population of Malda District is 39.97 lakh in 2011 and the decadal growth is 21.28 per

cent 2001-2011. The birth rate is high due to lack of literacy i.e. only 62.7 per cent

which is below the national average that accounts 74.02 per cent. The population

density includes 1069 persons per sq. km. in 2011. Sex ratio stands at 944 females per

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1000 males in 2011.

The sericulture has big importance in Malda with its rich tradition and

culture. Total contribution of sericulture production is at 6% of country level and 70%

of local area production. 62,000 families have been working at the sericulture

productions up and down process (Fig. 4.5 and 4.6). Up process are mulberry

cultivation, farming, silkworm egg production, larva production and cocoon

production. Down process are cocoon reeling, marketing, textile and export.

350
300
250
200
In Acre

150
100
50
0
Strengthening
of mulberry prophylactic
Area under
silkworm seed measures New Farmers
Mulberry
rearers (ASR) includes quality Training
Plantation (in
for quality seed disinfectant (in imparted
acre)
cocoon acre)
generation
Target 75 18 325 150
Achievement 65.63 18 325 134

Fig.4.5. The targets and achievements of Malda District between 2018 and 2019.

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 160

140

120

100
Total No.

80

60

40

20

0
Assistance for
Supply of Rearing Establishment of Sinking of Shallow Supply of Pump Remodelling of Bed Disinfectants
Construction of
appliances new BV CRC Tube Well Machine Rearing house support
Rearing House
Target 134 6 65 23 23 81 120
Achievement 134 6 65 21 21 79 128

Fig. 4.6. Government supports for Sericulture activities

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 In Malda, more than 21,000 acres have been used for mulberry cultivation.

And yearly, the productions are 16,000 MT as commercial cocoons production, 1787

MT as raw silk, 700 MT as silk wastes. All these steps, the women have a critical role

which contributes 60% work force in the sericulture farming. Specially, women only

take care of silkworm larvae during whole rearing season. Not only this, the kids &

senior members also helped them in such activities. It is to be said that the entire

Industry depends upon the labours and skills of rural women folk. Women are by

instinct very much caring. In our home’s women take care of little kids and other

members of a family. Therefore, there might not be any substitute towards taking care

of the sensitive silkworms. The Worms need much care. Male members get relieved

imposing all duties towards rearing of silkworm to the female members. Male

members undertake external activities (like Field works, Marketing of Cocoons

etc.).Role of Women in Sericulture is undoubtedly praiseworthy. At the beginning of

a crop, activities like- brushing of eggs, feeding of worms, bed cleaning, sanitation in

and around the rearing houses, disinfection of Seri-implements [Dalas (rearing tray),

Chandrikas (Mountages)] and Rearing houses, Dala expansion at different larval

instars, application of disinfectants viz. Labex, Vetcare Vijeta, Sanitech, Lime etc.,

identification and picking up of mature larvae, placement of mature larvae in

mountages, picking up of deceased larvae from mountages, keeping the mountages

with worms in sunshine (mild), harvesting of cocoons in proper time etc. It is

necessary to mention here that harvesting & preservation of cocoons is very much

imperative task to undertake and it is more cautiously and successfully performed by

the lady members of a rearer’s family. Women are more popular because of their

active nature. They are employed in the mulberry garden or in Silkworm nurturing or

in grainage center or in post-cocoon fields. Sericulture offers a wide range of raising

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family income with the wholehearted devotion of the women members. They are

actively engaged in mulberry fields with leaf plucking for young age silkworm (which

is a skilled & delicate work), weeding operation etc.

In Post Cocoon Technology, involvement of women is greater which

enriches the sectors like- Reeling, Weaving & Garment Manufacturing Industry.

Women, with their delicate touch of fingers some major operations like - picking fine

threads from cocoons, the distribution of the ends and their tolerance to working in

hot water and seam for prolonged hours keep an impression in the industry. It is really

a touching sight to see women folk are sitting in front of hot Reeling Basin all day

long and working attentively with their inherent artistic skill.

It is true that Reeling & Spinning Industry handicrafts bring artistic glamour

with the skillful soft touch of a woman.

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