Jhumpura: Silk farmers, most of them tribals inhabiting the forested pockets of Malda in Jhumpura block of Keonjhar district, are facing a crisis as they suffered severe losses in the traditional silk farming during the current year.
“Nobody takes note of or hears our plight. We have taken loans and borrowed heavily for farming activities. Now, how we are not in a position to pay off loans as we are incurring losses,” rued tribal farmers like Sarat Munda, Laba Munda, Mangal Munda, Binod Munda, Trilochan Munda, Natha Munda and Kuladhara Nayak.
Several other silk farmers like Ksruhna Nayak, Kaira Munda, Sunaram Munda, Kali Nayak, Mana Munda, Alok Munda, Sukadev Munda and Siga Munda also expressed their concern over the issue.
According to a report, scores of tribals have been engaged in tussar cultivation for over 40 years in Kasia, Balabhadrapur, Nunagadia of Malda panchayat, Kutugan, Chipinda, Sanajoda of Kutugan panchayat, and Phuljhar and Dhaladihi under Bansapal block. Over the years, many of them have turned to tussar cultivation owing to lack of government support and unavailability of quality silk seeds. The major problem is that Jhumpura Cooperative Society for tussar farmers has closed long back.
Despite all odds, the tribals in Kasia, Balabhadrapur and Nunagadia villages in Malda panchayat have not given up traditional silk farming. They have also taken up silk farming this year too.
Silk farming needs specific trees varieties like Asana and Arjuna. Silk worms feed on the leaves of these trees and quickly create cocoons. Farmers usually release the silk worms on the trees in August. They take extreme care to protect the silk worms from insects, ants, birds and other predatory reptiles. They also apply chemicals around the trees.
Another problem faced by these farmers is that there is no clustered plantation of Asan and Arjuna trees. As a result, the trees are lying scattered at places.
On the other hand, the farmers had bought silk worm seeds for Rs 1000 per 100 gm from Keonjhar society this year, apart from making other input costs.
November is the time for grown-up silk worms to weave cocoons, but they are now found dropping dead. Besides, several cocoons are also found rotten or damaged. According to the farmers, this is a result of the poor quality of the silk seeds they purchased from the market.
“First, there is no plantation of Asana and Arjuna trees in the area. Since the day Jhumpura Tussar Society closed down, we have been facing problem in getting quality silk seeds. This year, all seeds were damaged. Sericulture experts don not visit the area or give us advice and suggestion. In the absence of any government support, we have taken loans and borrowed from various sources for silk cultivation,” said farmers.
Over 70 silk farmers of Kasia area are facing crisis due to losses in silk farming.
Sericulture officer Sadananda Behera said, “Due to adverse weather conditions, silk worms are ruined. Cocoons could not be created this year. The loss of the famers is being assessed and a report is being prepared. It will be sent to the head office in Bhubaneswar.” PNN
