Mod 21: Silk Industry, Varieties & Production Statistics

Sericulture Overview and Agro-Industrial Ecosystem:

Sericulture is an important agro-based, labor-intensive cottage industry in Bihar that links rural silkworm rearers directly with urban weaving centers. The state holds a unique position in Indian sericulture as it produces three commercially distinct natural silk varieties: Mulberry, Tasar, and Endi/Eri (Castor silk). While Tasar culture is deeply anchored in the southern plateau-fringe forests, Eri culture thrives on castor plantations, and Mulberry farming has traditionally been cultivated in the eastern alluvial plains. To revitalize the entire sericulture value chain from cocoon to fabric, the State Government notified the Bihar Industrial Investment Promotion Policy (Textile and Leather Policy), 2022, which provides extensive financial subsidies, power concessions, and employment-linked grants to establish modern reeling and weaving infrastructure.

Varietal Distribution and District-wise Concentration:

• Tasar Silk Hub (South Bihar Forest Tracts): Tasar silk production is heavily clustered across the southern districts of Banka, Munger, Nawada, Kaimur, and Jamui, where silkworms feed primarily on host trees such as Asan (Terminalia tomentosa) and Arjun (Terminalia arjuna). Banka and adjoining belts serve as the foremost producers of high-quality wild Tasar yarn.
• Status of Mulberry Silk (North-Eastern Belt): Mulberry silk rearing is traditionally situated in the sub-Himalayan and eastern plains across Saharsa, Supaul, Madhepura, Purnia, Araria, Kishanganj, and Katihar. However, as noted in the Bihar Economic Survey 2024-25, commercial mulberry silk production across these districts has remained largely sluggish and subdued due to climatic challenges and land fragmentation.
• Endi/Eri Silk (Castor-Based): Produced primarily on castor leaf foliage in eastern and northern agrarian tracts, producing open-ended, thermal, non-reeled spun silk.

Official Production Statistics (Bihar Economic Survey Data):

• Mulberry Cocoon & Raw Silk Yield (2023-24): In the financial year 2023-24, the state recorded a total production of 10.4 tonnes of Mulberry silk cocoons, which yielded exactly 1.2 tonnes of processed raw mulberry silk yarn.
• Tasar Raw Silk Dominance (2023-24): Tasar silk constitutes the largest commercial volume in the state, recording an impressive raw silk production of 43.9 tonnes in 2023-24.
• Endi/Eri Raw Silk (2023-24): Production of raw Endi (Eri) silk yarn stood at 15.2 tonnes during the same fiscal year.
• Cumulative State Raw Silk Output: Together, all three varieties generated a cumulative raw silk output of 60.3 tonnes (43.9 tonnes Tasar + 15.2 tonnes Endi + 1.2 tonnes Mulberry) in 2023-24.

Institutional Modernization & Value Addition (2025–2026):

• Solar-Operated Reeling Machines: The Directorate of Handloom and Sericulture has distributed mechanized, solar-powered reeling and spinning machines to rural women cooperatives in Banka and Nawada, replacing manual thigh-reeling and improving yarn tensile uniformity.
• Host Plant Plantations: Systematic block plantation drives of Arjun and Asan trees on non-arable forest periphery lands have expanded the foraging habitat for Tasar silkworms under rural employment frameworks.
• GI Brand Integration: Enhanced testing laboratories and yarn certification hubs operate in the Bhagalpur–Banka silk cluster to safeguard the export value of GI-tagged Bhagalpur silk.

Exam View: Key Takeaways for Competitive Examinations:

• Types of Silk Produced in Bihar: Exactly 3 varieties — Mulberry, Tasar, and Endi/Eri (Muga is exclusive to Assam/Northeast).
• Tasar Producing Districts: Banka, Munger, Nawada, Kaimur, and Jamui.
• Mulberry Sluggish Belt: Saharsa, Supaul, Madhepura, Purnia, Araria, Kishanganj, and Katihar.
• 2023-24 Raw Silk Production Volumes:
  • Tasar raw silk: 43.9 tonnes (largest contributor).
  • Endi raw silk: 15.2 tonnes.
  • Mulberry raw silk: 1.2 tonnes (from 10.4 tonnes of cocoons).
  • Total state raw silk: 60.3 tonnes.
• Policy Framework: Bihar Industrial Investment Promotion Policy (Textile and Leather Policy), 2022.

Important Questions Asked in Previous Govt Examinations (BPSC / State Exams):

1. How many types of commercial natural silk are produced in Bihar? — Three (Mulberry, Tasar, and Endi/Eri) [Frequently asked in BPSC Prelims].
2. Which group of districts is the primary producer of Tasar silk in Bihar? — Banka, Munger, Nawada, Kaimur, and Jamui.
3. According to the Bihar Economic Survey 2024-25, how many tonnes of raw Tasar silk was produced in Bihar during 2023-24? — 43.9 tonnes.
4. What was the production of Mulberry silk cocoons and raw silk obtained in Bihar in 2023-24? — 10.4 tonnes cocoons and 1.2 tonnes raw silk.
5. Which silk variety, known as non-violent/Ahimsa silk and reared on castor leaves, is produced in Bihar? — Endi / Eri silk.