Nagpur Farmers Diversify into Sericulture, Generate Sustainable Income Surge

Sericulture is emerging as a reliable income source for farmers in Nagpur district, where 175 growers collectively earned nearly ₹99.5 lakh in the last year. With around 23 metric tonnes of silk cocoons produced from 226 acres of mulberry plantations, silk farming is now being promoted as a climate-resilient, low-maintenance agricultural alternative. Authorities are urging more farmers to diversify by adopting sericulture this monsoon, as rising inflation and erratic weather continue to threaten traditional crops across the region.

Amid rising uncertainties in conventional agriculture, silk farming is gaining momentum as a sustainable livelihood option in Nagpur district. A recent update from the district administration highlighted how 175 farmers cultivated nearly 226 acres of mulberry, yielding around 23 metric tonnes of silk cocoons and earning a cumulative ₹99.5 lakh in the past year. Sericulture is being positioned as a low-risk, high-reward venture, offering four to five cocoon harvests annually. Once established, a mulberry orchard can remain productive for 12 to 15 years with minimal upkeep. Officials noted that a one-time setup of silkworm rearing sheds is sufficient, with harvesting possible within just four months of planting. The income potential ranges between ₹1 lakh to ₹1.5 lakh per acre per year. Crucially, mulberry plants are resilient to climate extremes such as unseasonal rain or hailstorms, which have become increasingly common. Authorities are now encouraging wider adoption across rural pockets, especially as part of diversified crop strategies.

Financial incentives and support structures are also driving farmer interest in sericulture. Government subsidies under the MNREGA programme offer up to ₹4.32 lakh per acre over three years, while NABARD has pegged the total project cost at ₹6.52 lakh per acre for 2024–25. Farmers can access up to 90% of this amount through bank loans. Additionally, cooperative banks are offering crop loans up to ₹1.85 lakh to support plantation and maintenance costs. Eligibility requires ownership of at least one acre of irrigated land with proper drainage. Farmers must also furnish land ownership records, Aadhaar, passport-sized photos, and job cards under MNREGA. Once harvested, cocoons can be sold at regulated markets in Jalna, Beed, Parli, and Baramati, or to private reeling centres in Mohadi and Katangi. Villages such as Gumgaon and Panjari are already setting examples, with some families engaged in sericulture for over two generations. The initiative is rapidly evolving into a resilient rural enterprise model.

Sericulture in Nagpur is offering a much-needed financial buffer to small and marginal farmers navigating inflation and climate volatility. The long-term viability, low operational cost, and government-backed financial aid are positioning silk farming as a key player in the district’s agrarian future. With early adopters already reaping steady incomes, the model is proving to be scalable and socially inclusive. As more farmers pivot to diversified cultivation, sericulture could play a transformative role in shaping climate-resilient and economically sustainable rural livelihoods, particularly when supported by market access and institutional backing from cooperative and public agencies.

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Nagpur Farmers Diversify into Sericulture, Generate Sustainable Income Surge