By IANS,
Ranchi : A Rajasthan-based firm will promote silk products manufactured in Jharkhand to help the state generate around Rs.20 million annually, the government said here Monday.
“The Jharkhand State Handloom and Textile (Jharcraft) and Murarka Organic Food of Rajasthan signed an agreement few weeks ago in New Delhi. As per the agreement, Jharkhand will sell 20,000 stoles and 6,000 silk saris to Murarka. The state will earn Rs.20 million per annum through this deal,” Deputy Chief Minister Shudhir Mahto told IANS.
Jharkhand is promoting organic silk production in the state and has introduced 100,000 farmers to cocoon production.
“Jharkhand is all set to cross the target of organic silk production set by the central government in the 11th Five-Year Plan. We are likely to produce 720 tonnes of organic silk against the target of 425 tonnes, and have requested the central government to raise the production target,” Mahto said.
The state has produced 300 tonnes of organic silk in the current financial year, against 143 tonnes in 2007-2008.
According to Mahto, Jharkhand produces 60 percent of the total production of organic silk in the country.
In the current financial year, the state government has set a target of getting 28,000 farmers engaged in tussar silk production.
The Jharkhand government plans to generate Rs.1 billion by the end of the 11th Five-Year Plan through organic silk production.
To promote marketing of organic silk, the state government is also planning to ink pacts with some more private firms.