IMPACT OF JICA PROJECTS ON INDIAN

SERICULTURE: A REPLICABLE MODEL FOR

OTHER COUNTRIES

R.C.Das & B.S.Angadi Central Silk Board, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India

BTM Layout, Madiwala, Bengaluru, India email: rcdas61.csb@nic.in

Abstract

India is a predominantly multivoltine oriented country, with the

production of raw silk which can only cater to the requirement of domestic

handloom and low torque power loom sector. The Country requires a huge

quantity of high quality bivoltine raw silk which can sustain the strength and

tenacity of the modern power looms. India’s efforts to introduce bivoltine

sericulture started way back in early 1980’s. Despite the implementation of

quite a good number of projects funded internationally, there was no visible

improvement. At this juncture, Central Silk Board (Government of India)

sought the help of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for the

promotion and popularization of bivoltine sericulture in the country.

Responding positively, JICA implemented three high profile projects under

Technical Cooperation aimed at enhancing the production of import

substitute bivoltine raw silk in the country. The details of the projects, their

implementation modalities, achievements, changes witnessed and the way

forward for India as also for other ISC member countries for developing

bivoltine sericulture in their respective countries are discussed in the paper.

(Key words: JICA, Bivoltine, Indian Sericulture, Technical Cooperation)

1.0 Introduction

India with its contribution of 16% to the global silk production is only second

to China the topper. India being a tropical country, its silk industry is

predominantly multivoltine oriented. Although India produces about 28,472

MTs of raw silk, it still imports around 3500 MTs of high quality bivoltine

raw silk, as Indian raw silk yarn is suitable for the handloom and low torque

power loom sector in India to manufacture traditional products for domestic

consumption. Currently the bulk of exports from India is of handloom silk

catering to a limited market (5-8% of global market) because of its unique

designs and production features. However, there is growing demand for

superior quality silk to manufacture finer products for domestic consumption

as well as for exports. 1.1 Indian efforts to introduce bivoltine sericulture

India started making concerted efforts for the production of quality bivoltine raw silk as early as 1974; nonetheless planned programme had started only in 1981 under the Karnataka Sericulture Development Project supported by the World Bank. The objective of this project was to increase the domestic production of bivoltine raw silk from 150 to 1,000 MTs. However, the target of production of bivoltine raw silk did not meet its objective in full. Again, the Government of India, in 1989 implemented a five-year National Sericulture Project (NSP), with financial support from World Bank and the Swiss Development Agency. This project intended to strengthen research facilities to promote R & D and to develop dissemination systems and was targeted on development of both bivoltine and Cross breed as well. Although the NSP was one of the most important projects for developing the Indian sericulture, which has laid platform for the development of bivoltine sericulture aimed primarily at introduction, development and promotion of bivoltine sericulture, but in the absence of appropriate technologies and silkworm breeds, the bivoltine production did not catch up to the expected level. Under this challenging situation, the Central Silk Board (Government of India) has sought assistance from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) (Government of Japan) for the promotion of Bivoltine sericulture in the country.

2.0 JICA Projects in India

Responding positively to Central Silk Board’s (CSB) request for

Japanese Technical Cooperation Programme, the JICA had implemented three high profile projects with the sole objective of promotion and popularization of bivoltine sericulture technology in the country.

Considering the request made by CSB for Japanese assistance in different

fields of sericulture research and development and on the basis of results of surveys and discussions the following fields were identified for technical cooperation. 1. Silkworm Breeding 2. Research in Silkworm Diseases

3. Development of Silkworm Rearing Technology

4. Mulberry Breeding and Cultivation

5. Development of Silkworm Seed Technology

6. Development of Post Cocoon Technology

7. Strengthening of Extension System 2.1 Bivoltine Sericulture Technology Development (BSTD)

The objectives of this 1st Phase Project which was implemented during

1991-1997 were to: √ Develop appropriate technologies required to improve the quality and

yield of Bivoltine silk in Indian conditions and thereby help the promotion of sericulture industry.

√ Develop human resources by transferring technologies in those fields

vital to the target countries

2.2 Promotion of Popularizing the Practical Bivoltine Sericulture

Technology

(PPPBST)

The objectives of this 2nd

Phase project which was implemented during

1997-2002 were:

√ Verification and demonstration of technology package evolved in phase-1 of the project with the Indian farmers

√ Human resource development in the field of Bivoltine sericulture and skill development at farmer’s level and technicians

2.3 Project for Strengthening Extension System for Bivoltine sericulture

(PEBS)

The objectives of this 3rd

Phase project which was implemented during 2002-2007 was to:

Establish a replicable extension system for Bivoltine sericulture for enhancing the production and quality of Bivoltine raw silk.

2.4 Modalities of implementation

JICA Mission had identified the following critical areas to be addressed during implementation of BSTD project in response to the Central Silk Board’s request.

Development of silkworm breeds using the existing varieties in India

Develop techniques for identification of different strains of microsporidians and viruses and their early detection and control

Development of suitable rearing technology for young and late age

silkworms

Improvement of mounting system to improve the cocoon characters and quality

Development of suitable mulberry varieties and cultivation practices for

bivoltine young and late age silkworms

Development of hibernation schedules, short term chilling techniques, embryonic studies and improvement in techniques of mass bivoltine silkworm seed production

Improvement of cocoon drying methods, cooking and reeling of bivoltine

cocoons.

Strengthening of sericulture extension system especially for the propagation of bivoltine

JICA Mission in principle had agreed to make available the services of Japanese experts in relevant fields for long term (for more than one year) as well as short term (not exceeding five per annum for a duration two to three months). The JICA Mission had consented to train the Indian counterparts in the concerned areas not exceeding five per annum. JICA had dispatched 25 long term and 58 short term experts during the project period, while 90 Indian counterparts were trained in different areas. The details are depicted at Table - 1. 3.0 Achievements

During the BSTD project the following achievements were made:

Package of cultivation practices for production of superior quality mulberry leaf were developed.

New Bivoltine Silkworm hybrids viz., CSR2 x CSR4, CSR4 x CSR5, CSR18 x CSR19 and their reciprocals suited to Indian climatic conditions were evolved.

Suitable rearing and mounting methods were developed for tropical climate of peninsular India.

Disease control measures were developed.

Techniques of seed production, seed preservation, processing and incubation were improved to produce high quality silkworm seeds

Standard method of cocoon drying, cocoon quality testing, cocoon storage, cocoon cooking and improved reeling techniques were developed on reeling front.

Testing procedure and method of conditioning of raw silk had also been standardized to evaluate the quality of silk.

During the PPPBST Project the following achievements were made:

With the systematic transfer of technology, upgradation of Chawki rearing centers, selected farmers, it was proved on the ground that in Indian domestic conditions also. By following the new system of Bivoltine Sericulture Technology packages, farmers were able to achieve

cocoon yield up to 35 kg per box and get remunerative returns from Bivoltine silkworm rearing.

The raw silk reeled from these cocoons had confirmed 2A to 4A grade international standard quality. Yield obtained per box from 16 bivoltine crops in the selected Technical Service Centres (TSC) areas of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu is depicted in Fig - 1.

The success achieved was mainly attributed to the efforts of the Indian counterparts and the JICA experts who could successfully verify and demonstrate the technologies among the selected farmers.

86 training programmes were organized for imparting training to 206 CSB, 797 DOS staff besides 238 farmers and 281 reelers. In addition, 28 field days, 38 enlightenment programmes were organized to educate and guide the extension staff and the farmers for promotion of Bivoltine sericulture.

During the PEBS project the following achievements were made:

An efficient and viable extension model was developed for the overall development of bivoltine sericulture in India

In order to accomplish the task of popularizing the bivoltine sericulture technologies, CRCs, TSCs, BSFs, STSs, Grainages and Reeling TSCs were selected, strengthened and upgraded as Model units. Totally 9 BSFs, 10 Grainages, 18 TSCs, 6 STSs and 2 reeling TSCs were developed as Model units. The details are furnished at Table - 2.

The test verified technologies were tried with large number of farmers (3704) to prove that the bivoltine sericulture is possible in India. The results obtained are depicted at Fig – 2 to 5.

4.0 Publications:

To supplement the efforts as also to ensure that the developed technologies reach the masses, 15 technical manuals, 6 video films, 14 display charts and many pamphlets were published in English and other regional languages, besides the JICA Newsletters incorporating the project activities, success stories, survey results etc., were published bi-annually. 5.0 Training / Awareness Programmes:

Capacity Building Programme under PPPBST & PEBS Projects were

meticulously conducted for 5342 farmers, 593 reelers, 1699 TSC Staff, 737 BSF Staff and Grainage personnel which is placed at Table 3. 6.0 Significant Changes:

The changes witnessed due to implementation of JICA Projects were so significant which has not only helped India to take quantum jump in the production of import substitute bivoltine raw silk in the country, but also improved the quality production and productivity of the traditional multivoltine varieties. Adoption of the new technologies in mulberry cultivation, silkworm rearing, disease control, mounting methods, seed production and post-cocoon sectors radically changed the sericulture scenario of India. Major changes those paved way for quality bivoltine raw silk production in the country are indicated at Table 4. 7.0 Impact:

It is evident from the results obtained from the trials conducted during the projects at various stages that the tropical bivoltine sericulture technology developed was most appropriate, techno economically feasible and sustainable for the popularization and promotion of bivoltine sericulture in India. It was also proved that quality parameters linked to the seed production, mulberry cultivation, silkworm rearing and silk reeling were almost parallel to the international standards. JICA projects had created platform for large scale expansion of bivoltine sericulture across the country. Technologies developed and standardized are popularly known as JICA technologies and models.

Enthused by the success of JICA project, almost all the States of India have started taking up bivoltine sericulture in the recent past in large scale. Government of India in its XI and XII Plans gave emphasis for the production of import substitute bivoltine raw silk through incorporation of JICA technologies as major components for financial assistance, to bridge the gap between production, demand

and supply. Starting from a marginal production the bivoltine raw silk production in the country went up to 3870 MTs during 2014-15 and it is anticipated to produce more than 4500 MTs during 2015-16 due to the replication of JICA model through organization of cluster promotion programme in the country. Country is all set to produce around 8500 MT of import substitute bivoltine raw silk by 2020, to stop the import of raw silk to zero level.

8.0 Way forward for India and other ISC member countries:

JICA demonstrated the advantages of mission mode approach for the holistic development of the silk industry, which needs to be carry forwarded. JICA in association with India has developed a replicable Bivoltine Sericulture Technology Package for sustainable growth anywhere in the globe. The member countries can replicate the technology model in their own countries under Technical Cooperation programme of JICA. As the availability of sericulture experts in Japan is a major constraint, JICA could avail the expert services from India through a tripartite agreement among the countries. The International Sericulture Commission (ISC) can play a major role in coordinating and monitoring in successful implementation of the project. The proposed modality is: Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA):

Conduct preparatory study in coordination with Indian experts

Fund the project under Bilateral Technical Cooperation programme. Dispatch of Team Leader and Coordinator for implementation of the

project. Conduct Mid-Term and Final Evaluation of the project.

Govt. of India - Central Silk Board: Support JICA to conduct preparatory study.

Extend consultancy services to member countries in drafting Bilateral

Technical Cooperation Project. Extend expert service through JICA for implementation of the project.

Support the member countries in monitoring and execution of the

project.

Develop human resource through capacity building

Member Countries:

Conceive project and submit to JICA Embassy through respective Governments

Provide necessary counterparts to work in the project

Provide necessary office space and ministerial staff to the project

Identify the project sites and extend necessary logistics to the project

International Sericulture Commission (ISC): Over all coordination among JICA, India and member countries for

effective implementation of the project Identifying the resource persons for drafting the project and experts for

JICA to work in the project Coordinate between India & member countries for organizing need based

training 10.0 Procedure for getting JICA aid:

Technical Cooperation extended by the Government of Japan, through

JICA supports developing countries in enhancing their comprehensive capacities to address development challenges by their own efforts. JICA formulates to provide multi-tiered assistance, by utilizing the knowledge, experience and technologies of both Japan and the developing countries.

Government of Japan follows a very transparent and efficient procedure

for granting JICA assistance to the developing countries which is depicted at Fig 6.

References: Anonymous, (2006). Report of the Sub-Committee of Sericulture for XI Plan (2007-2012), Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India, New Delhi Jayant Jayswal, R.C.Das and K.Giridhar, (2007). JICA Assistance - A Road Map to Development of Bivoltine Sericulture in India. Indian Silk (Vol. 46, 4): 8-12 Kiyoshi Kawakami, (2011). My experiences with Indian sericulture under JICA project. Indian Silk, January (9): 50-53. M.N.Ramesha and Rajesh Kumar Sinha, (2007). Dawn of a New Era. Indian Silk (Vol. 46, 4): 4-7

Table – 1: Japanese long term, short term experts involved and Indian counterparts trained at Japan during the projects

Japanese Experts Indian

Project Area

Long term

Short term

counterparts

trained at Japan

BSTD Silkworm breeding 4 5 5

Seed production 3 3 6

Disease 2 3 5

management 1 5 4

Mulberry 2 4 4

Silkworm rearing 7 4

PPPBST Silkworm breeding 3 4 12

& Seed production

Mulberry 2 1 3

Silkworm rearing & 2 3 6

Disease Management

Training 2 - 6

Post cocoon - 6 2

Extension 1 3 5

PEBS Silkworm breeding 1 3 6

& Seed production

Silkworm rearing & - 1 7

Disease management

Training 1 2 13

Post cocoon - 3 2

Extension 1 5 -

Total 25 58 90

Table – 2: State wise units benefitted during the project periods

Units developed

Category

CSB

State units

Karnataka Andhra Pradesh Tamil Nadu

Basic Seed Farms 3 4 1 1

Grainages 2 5 2 1

Technical Service Centers - 8 6 4

Sericulture Training Schools - 4 1 1

Reeling TSCs - 2 - -

Table – 3: Trainings imparted and the awareness programmes

conducted during the project period Programme PPPBST PEBS Total

BSF/ Grainage staff 204 533 737

TSC staff 291 931 1222

STS staff 77 77

Reeling staff 180 220 400

Farmers 238 5086 5342

Reelers 256 337 593

Seed farmers 237 237

Enlightenment programme 44 17 61

Group discussions 9 4 13

Workshops 1 5 5

Table - 4 Significant Changes witnessed after the JICA

Projects

Area Status before JICA Changes after JICA

Mulberry Pit system of cultivation with K2 Adoption of wider spacing (Indo

varieties (leaf yield 32-35 Japanese System) with V1 & S36

MT/ha/year) varieties (leaf yield was 60-70

MT/ha/year)

Silkworm Rearing of low yielding Switched over to high yielding

Breeds traditional breeds like KA x CSR2 x CSR4, CSR2 X CSR5 &

NB4D2 (filament length 750 now to Double hybrids ( filament

m/cocoon with 10 Renditta and length 1150 m/cocoon with 6 to

20 kg per Box yield with un- 6.5 Renditta and 35 Kg/box yield

gradable silk) with 2A - 4A Internationally

Gradable Silk)

Silkworm Inadequate incubation Appropriate incubation

Seed techniques. Poor hatching technology adoption. Hatching

percentage with more than 10% percentage increased to above 92

defective eggs. % with less than 5 % defective

eggs.

Pupation rate was less than75% Improved parent seed rearing

with percentage of egg recovery resulted in increased pupation rate

was below 40g/kg of cocoons of more than 91% with

percentage of egg recovery is

above 60 g/kg of cocoons

Disease Yield was below 15-20 Kg/box Yield has been increased to

Control at farmers level 35Kgs/box due to effective

disease control measures

introduced including general

disinfection, bed disinfectants and

hygiene maintenance.

Silkworm Direct supply of eggs to the Chawki concept stabilized the

Rearing farmers. cocoon crops

Usage of traditional bamboo Introduction of Rotary Mountages

Mountages helped to reduce the defective

cocoon percentage and in turn

reduced the Renditta

Post Cocoon were reeled through Multi-end Reeling machines and

Cocoon Cottages basins. Automatic Reeling Machines are

popularized.

Raw silk produced were un- It improved in production of 2A-

gradable with low return of 4A Internationally Standard Silk

Rs.1.80 lakh to reelers with Renditta comes down to 6. A

MRM Reeler is able to increase

his income up to 4.00 lakh.

45.00

40.00 38.81

35.45 35.32

37.00 35.20 34.38

35.00

32.91 30.87 30.91 32.19 33.00

30.00 28.35 28.60 28.45 27.50

25.50

25.00

20.00

15.0 12.38 10.00

5.00

0.00

Fig – 1: Crop wise cocoon yields obtained during PPPBST Project

4000 3704

3500

3000

2500

2000 1637

1500 1246

1000 821

500

0

Karnatak Andhra Tamil Nadu Total

Fig – 2: Numbers of farmers covered during PEBS

3000.00 2612.46

2500.00

2000.00

1500.00

899.51 888.17 824.78

1000.00

500.00

0.00

Karnataka Andhra Tamil Nadu Total

Fig – 3:Silkworm seed brushing during PEBS (1000 boxes)

33.49

33.60

33.40

33.20 32.93 32.87

33.00

32.80 32.60 32.40 32.19 32.20 32.00 31.80 31.60 31.40

Karnataka Andhra Tamil Nadu Avg

Fig – 4: Cocoon yield obtained by the

farmers during PEBS (kg/box)

22.10%

22.02%

22.00%

21.90%

21.80% 21.75%

21.70% 21.68%

21.60% 21.56%

21.50%

21.40%

21.30%

Karnataka Andhra Tamil Nadu Avg

Fig – 5: Average SR% of the cocoons

harvested by the farmers during PEBS

12

Conceive

project

(recipient

country)

Project evaluation

Project

implementation

and monitoring

Convey approval to recipient country

Japanese cabinet approval

Agreement on a draft of the exchange notes

Request Japanese

Embassy

(recipient country) Screening of

the project (MOFA)

JICA submits report to MOFA

Appraisal of the

report by MOFA

MOFA Advises

JICA to conduct a study

Preliminary study

by JICA team

Basic design study team by JICA

Draft report by

JICA

Fig – 6: Flow Chart of the procedure followed for securing JICA aid

17