What is Sericulture? Scope And Career Opportunities

Explore sericulture and learn about the art and technology of raising silk worms for the production of raw silk yarn.

By Divya

What is Sericulture?

Sericulture means silk farming. The word 'Sericulture' is derived from the Greek word 'Sericos' meaning 'Silk' and the English word 'Culture' meaning 'Rearing'. Sericulture plays a significant role in the rural economy of India, is not bound to just worms, but includes all activities related to the silk culture like mulberry cultivation and even post-cocoon technology. Today, India and China are the two main producers, with more than 60% of the world's annual production.

 

Who is a Sericulturist?

Innovative researchers have turned sericulture into an industry and now it has become a major cash crop of the country. The sericulture industry is unique for more than one reasons. It is based on agricultural output specifically cocoons and cottage based labor intensive in nature.

What are the educational requirements to become a sericulturist?

  • One of the options is to pursue a bachelor's degree in Sericulture is right after Class XII.
  • To pursue this one needs to have a background in science.There are two types of degree, B.Sc. (Sericulture) and B.Sc. Silk Technology (Sericulture).
  • To pursue a Master's degree, one must complete graduation in the same or related fields of agriculture or sericulture.
  • There is also immense scope for research and development in this field, where one can obtain a Ph.D. or even a post-doctoral.
Into the technology of sericulture

What is the scope of being a Sericulturist?

Since agriculture is a basic need for humans, there is always a lot of scope in this field of study. With the advent of technology and developments that come with it, there has been a wide variety of job opportunities in both public and private enterprises.

What are the career options in Sericulture?

  • Sericulture offers career opportunity in Govt. research centers, silk boards, academic fields, sericulture units, agriculture sector banks etc.
  • One can get jobs in Central Government agencies like Central Silk Board/Silk Export Promotion Council/Fao/Nabard, Krishi Vigyan Kendra etc.
  • Candidates with M.Sc sericulture can apply for the post of lecturer, professor and lab assistant. Sericulturists can find employment as officers, managers in the agricultural loan sector of nationalized as well as private banks.
  • Consultants with in-depth and updated knowledge of the field are also in demand, especially to provide guidance for the setting up of sericulture farms.

Payscale:

Professionals who undergo proper training can earn starting salaries as high as Rs 15000/- per month in public sector and even higher in private sector and NGOs.
Those who set up business as exporters of silk products can have good gains.

Top colleges/ universities in India for Sericulture

  • Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu: Faculty of Agriculture, Jammu (Tawi)
  • Shivaji University, Kolhapur
  • Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore
  • University of Agricultural Sciences - UAS Bangalore, Bangalore
  • Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow
  • Central Sericultural Research and Training Institute, Mysore (Karnataka)
  • University of Delhi, New Delhi
  • Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat

Also read: What Is Jewellery Design? Career As Jewellery Designer

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