Kaptipada: Scores of people in Kaptipada area of Mayurbhanj district once relied a lot on tussar farming for their livelihood. Ironically, this traditional occupation is declining due to factors including lack of support from the government and the sick condition of a cooperative society. Besides, the species of trees that support survival of silk works are being felled.
After finding that the traditional cultivation is not affordable, many farmers have switched over to other jobs, resulting in a drastic fall in tussar production.
The government had taken a major step to boost tussar production and marketing by setting up a tussar cooperative society at Jadida panchayat in 1957.
For several years, the cooperative society ran successfully and many farmers got benefits.
However, lack of support from the government adversely affected its operations and has now been struggling for survival. The farmers also suffered losses due to the rapid decline of the society.
Earlier, there were many Asana and Arjuna trees in Similipal. Silk worms used to live on the leaves of these trees. Every year, the number of such trees has been dwindling in the area.
Arjun and Asan trees were planted in 60 hectares of land at Jadida, Kadaamba, Thakurasahi and Jualibhanaga. But the timber mafia carted away many trees as there wasn’t enough staff to protect trees.
When tussar farming was at its peak, the cooperative society had 650 farmers as members. Unfortunately, their number continued to fall and reached 400 now.
The society provides tussar worms (seeds) to farmers in June and July. After the preliminary groundwork, farmers leave the worms on Asana and Arjun trees in October and November. By January, farmers collect cocoons from these trees. The society procures cocoons from farmers and supplies them to the apex cooperative society in Bhubaneswar.
Earlier, the society used to collect cocoons worth Rs 4 lakh every year.
“Sadly, the timber mafia turned out to be big threat to tussar farming. For lack of protection and monitoring, the timber mafia felled these trees. This is one of the main reasons for decline in tussar production,” said farmers Samay Singh and Ram Murmu.
As per guidelines, the society is entitled to buy cocoons from farmers. However, outside traders are buying cocoons from farmers, giving more price than what the society offers. Consequently, the society bears huge loss while the government did not intervene properly, farmers pointed out.
Following the crisis, the society’s office building and staff quarters are in a dilapidated state due to lack of maintenance. There is no special room for seed worms, which die due to warming conditions. PNN