Development Impact of Silk Production

A Wealth of Opportunities Sanjay Sinha Silk production is a highly employment-oriented, low capital intensity activity ideally suited to the conditions of a labour abundant, agro-based economy. This paper examines this proposition and suggests strategies for strengthening the con tribution of this activity to rural development. The available information on the socio-economic and related technical issues is far from comprehensive. A major finding of the paper is that the production systems presently employed have led to a significant positive impact on development. Given the growing demand for silk and consequent expansion, there exists a wealth of opportunities for maximising the development impact SILK production, including sericulture, is well known as a highly employment-oriented, low capital intensity activity ideally suited to the conditions of a labour abundant, agro-based economy. The object of this paper is to examine various dimensions of this proposition and to suggest, in a long- term perspective, strategies for strengthening the contribution of the activity to rural development. In doing so, it draws upon research conducted by the author on techno- economic issues in silk production in India to identify possibilities for intermediate technology interventions.' This incorporated a wide ranging survey of the available documentation on socio-economic and related technical dimensions of sericulture in India supplemented by brief field visits. The available information from secondary sources is far from comprehensive and insufficiently detailed for definitive statements to be made here but the paper attempts to focus the discussion and to determine the aspects which need further socio-economic research.