Parliament Question: Production of Tasar Silk

LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *230 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.08.2026 PRODUCTION OF TASAR SILK *230. SHRI ANANTA NAYAK Will the Minister of TEXTILES वस्त्र मंत्री

be pleased to state :

(a) whether the Government has assessed the potential of tasar silk production in Keonjhar district of Odisha, where many tribal families are engaged in tasar sericulture, if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Government proposes to establish a dedicated Tasar Silk Cluster in Keonjhar to strengthen the value chain through host plantation, DFL production, cocoon production, reeling, weaving, value addition, skill development and market linkage, if so, the details thereof;

(c) the details of assistance provided under Silk Samagra or any other scheme for promotion of tasar sericulture in Odisha, particularly in Keonjhar during the last five years; and

(d) the details of steps taken to improve income of tribal rearers, processing infrastructure, women’s participation, climate resilience and to develop Keonjhar as a major tasar silk hub? उत्तर ANSWER वस्त्र मंत्री (श्री गिररराज सिंह) MINISTER OF TEXTILES (SHRI GIRIRAJ SINGH)

(a) to (d):- A statement is laid on the Table of the House.STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *230 ASKED BY SHRI ANANTA NAYAK TO BE ANSWERED ON

04.08.2026 REGARDING ‘PRODUCTION OF TASAR SILK’

(a): Yes. Keonjhar is one of the major tasar silk-producing districts of Odisha. As reported by the State Government, the district produced 24 MT of raw silk during 2025-26, accounting for about 18% of Odisha's total 134 MT (including 132 MT of tasar silk) raw silk production.

Tasar sericulture is practiced by around 4,000 families across 325 villages in 8 blocks of the district. The tasar growers have been organized into 13 Primary Tasar Cooperative Societies.

(b): Keonjhar has been accorded priority for strengthening the tasar silk value chain through coordinated interventions of the Central and State Governments. A Basic Seed Multiplication and Training Centre (BSM&TC) of the Central Silk Board (CSB) has been established for production and supply of quality tasar silkworm seed Disease-Free Layings (DFLs). Technical guidance and skill training are being provided through CSB's Research and Development (R&D) units. The Government of Odisha has established a Tasar Silk Park (TSP) at Bhagamunda in Harichandanpur Block of Keonjhar for reeling, weaving, value addition, skill development and marketing.

(c): Under the Silk Samagra-2 scheme, central assistance of ₹4.43 crore has been provided to Odisha during 2021-22 to 2025-26, out of which ₹84.85 lakh has been allocated to Keonjhar district. In addition, the Government of Odisha has provided ₹3.22 crore under the Promotion of Sericulture Industries (POSI) Scheme, ₹2.99 crore under the Odisha Mineral Bearing Areas Development Corporation (OMBADC) and ₹24.79 crore under the District Mineral Foundation (DMF) for development of tasar sericulture in Keonjhar district.

(d): Under Silk Samagra-2, assistance is provided for plantation development, silkworm seed production, rearing, reeling, spinning, weaving, processing and marketing infrastructure.

During the last five years, Basic Seed Multiplication and Training Centre (BSM&TC), Keonjhar produced and supplied 4.13 lakh Disease-Free Layings (DFLs) and trained 170 persons, including women. Under the "Mera Resham Mera Abhiman (MRMA 1.0)" Mega Transfer of Technology Campaign, the Central Silk Board (CSB) conducted 5 awareness programmes, 3 training programmes and 2 field demonstrations, benefiting 459 participants, including 160 women and 405 tribals. Further, the Government of Odisha has undertaken tasar host plantation under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme

(MGNREGS), established 2 permanent host plant nurseries at Banspal and Bhagamunda of Keonjhar District, strengthened the Tasar Silk Park at Bhagamunda with post-cocoon facilities, solar energy and a display-cum-sale centre, and is promoting skill development and marketing of tasar products through training and exhibitions.

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