The government of central Indian state of Jharkhand, a leading silk producer in the country, is planning to establish a Silk Park to encourage sericulture activity, and thereby to boost silk exports from the state.

Mr. Dhirendra Kumar, Managing Director of Jharkhand Silk Textile & Handicraft Development Corporation Ltd. (Jharcraft), told fibre2fashion, “The idea of Silk Park is to integrate all the sericulture activities at one place. Our first Silk Park will come up on a 6 acre land in Seraikella-Kharsawan district, where we will have facility for the whole value chain including production of cocoons, rearing & spinning of yarn, design & development, dyeing, finishing, R&D, marketing, etc.”

“One main reason for setting up the Silk Park is to better cater to the export market, as we are receiving orders from several countries. Integrating all the activities at one place will enable us to control the quality and will also save time. So, we will be in a better position to meet the demand of the international market. Currently, the US, UK, Germany, France, Turkey, Japan, Australia, Sweden, and Switzerland are our main export destinations,” he informs.

Elaborating further about the Silk Park project, he says, “The investment in the first phase is about Rs. 200 million. It will be a joint venture of Jharcraft and a private entrepreneur from Maharashtra, with whom discussions are currently going on. Our share will be in the form of technical support and land, while the private entrepreneur would contribute capital. We may also seek loans from banks.”

“The Silk Park will benefit around 10,000 people who will get self-employment opportunity. Simultaneously, skill development programmes for reelers is going on in association with the Central Silk Board (CSB). Training is also being imparted to weavers on design and development,” he avers.

Briefing about silk production targets, he says, “In 2011-12, we produced 1025 tons of silk, which is more than our planned target of 900 tons. During the next five-year period, we are planning to increase silk production to 8,000 tons.”