Vellore Krishnagiri Mulberry Sericulture Tamil Nadu Silkworm

Krishnagiri and Vellore districts in Tamil Nadu form the second largest mulberry sericulture belt in India after Karnataka. Tamil Nadu produces Bivoltine silk from Bombyx mori on 40,000 hectares of mulberry gardens. Cooperative chawki rearing centres provide young silkworm larvae to farmers who rear cocoons in bamboo frames (chandrikes) in their homes. Tamil Nadu Silk Industries Corporation (TANSICO) provides cocoon procurement and silk reeling support. Kancheepuram and Arni silk weavers depend on these cocoon cooperatives for raw silk supply. Tamil Nadu sericulture cooperatives have introduced new high-yielding mulberry varieties under the National Sericulture Project to increase cocoon yields and farmer income.