Indian cocoon producer ** drastically cuts raw silk import tariffs

On March 4, more than 100 silkworm cocoon producers, mainly from Challakere and Molacalmarutaluks, staged a one-day march against the federal government’s unilateral decision to drastically reduce raw silk import tariffs in Geduleul.

Bharatiya Kisan Sangha (BKS) **GSChandrasekhar, and Secretary-General GThippeswamy, and SVR from Soorammanahalli and Chandanna of Kondlahalli have all complained to the Times of India that silkworm cocoon prices have fallen. Currently, the price of cocoon in Karnataka market has fallen from Rs 350/kg to 135 Rupee/kg.

They said that the central government’s hasty decision to cut import tariffs has hurt domestic cocoon producers and caused huge losses to domestic cocoon producers’ interests. “The Central Silk Committee** H Hanumanthappa is proud of the expansion of the mulberry area and the size of the cocoon production, but the central government has given us a fatal blow.” They complained.