Keonjhar: Despite having a geo-climatic condition that is conducive to tussar cultivation, tussar farmers have been stuck in limbo due to lack of proper government support and monitoring, a report said.
According to experts, the mining sector, which was the major job provider for the local populace, has been going through a slump for years, leaving lakhs of people jobless.
Tussar farming is a potential sector that can be tapped fully to create earning opportunities for poor and backward tribals, they said.
Locals demand that the government should come to the rescue of poor tribals and give more thrust on silk farming at this critical juncture. Activation of the sick silk farmers’ cooperative societies would go a long way in achieving this end.
Experts are of the view that a number of tribal-dominated forested pockets under Bansapal, Ghatagaon, Harichandanpur and Telkoi blocks have good geo-climatic conditions, but there is an urgent need for infrastructure development in these areas to encourage tribals to take up tussar cultivation.
Due to lack of proper care and maintenance, plantations, specifically done for silk worms, at various places are on the verge of vanishing while many silk farmers’ cooperative societies are lying sick. According to locals, lakhs of rupees are being pumped into plantation of trees like Asana, Arujna and Jamun, apart from funding for revival of societies, but a major problem is lack of monitoring the plantations and steps taken for revival.
“From tussar farming, a family can earn Rs 50,000 to Rs 80,000 per annum. Besides, maintenance cost of plantations is negligible. Such potential farming needs much more importance in these areas,” said Kananbihari Pahi, president of the Keonjhar Central Cooperative Society.
He had recently paid a visit to Pandapada area to take stock of tussar farming. What plantation areas need are guards, he said, adding the cooperative society will accord importance to this sector.
Silk worms feed on leaves of Asana, Arjuna and Jamun, which need to be protected.
Silk wrappers, sarees and dhotis have good demand in market, but weavers face shortage of raw material at Fakirpur, it was learnt.
Many weavers opined that if locally grown silk cocoons are available here aplenty, they can produce more clothes. Farmers accused the government of not ensuring effective spending of funds sanctioned for tussar cultivation.
“If tussar farming is given proper impetus, the sector will immensely benefit thousands of poor tribals,” said cooperative expert Dhirendra Rout. PNN