The Maharashtra government wants to take silk to vegans and Jains who currently desist from using the fabric since silkworms are killed during the production process. To do this, the state government plans to promote and market its brand of "ahimsa silk", saying this process allows the silkworm moths to hatch and leave the cocoon.
The government has said its religious and emotional significance would help this high-value fabric generate additional income for sericulturists, who are mostly dry-land farmers. "This adhyatmik (religious) silk, where silkworms are not harmed during production, will be branded. We will reach out to religious institutions and groups to promote religious wear, garment and fabric made from it," Atul Patne, textile secretary, said.
Though ahimsa silk is produced in states like Andhra Pradesh and Jharkhand, this will be the first time that the Maharashtra government is catalysing the production of worm-friendly silk that has its own niche market. The Maharashtra State Handloom Corporation intends to produce this fabric and also rope in private producers.
"Many religious denominations do not use silk despite it being a natural fabric due to the violence involved in the process. Ahimsa silk will appeal to them," said an official from the state sericulture directorate, adding that the use of best-quality silkworm breeds and upgraded production processes would help overcome constraints like higher costs and slightly lower quality (as the filament breaks after the moth leaves the cocoon).
Around eight kilograms of cocoons are used to make a kilogram of silk yarn. Each kilogram of cocoons involves killing at least 500 to 800 silkworms. "We will join hands with religious and temple trusts to market, advertise and sell this fabric. Ahimsa silk will also be sold on a trial basis there. Demand will pick up once people notice it," said Bhagyashree Banayat, director, sericulture.
To further promote its ahimsa silk product, the state is also launching a 'Resham Yatra' to popularise sericulture. The state handloom corporation, which mediates between weavers and the market and supplies raw material like thread and purchasing finished products, will use its channels to manufacture and market ahimsa silk. Private players will be roped in later.
LIFE OF A SILKWORM
- The source of the fabric is the silkworm, the cocoon of which is placed in boiling water to loosen the strands.
- In Ahimsa silk, however, the silkworm moth is allowed to hatch and leave the cocoon.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Silkworms")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}