BSB implements sericulture extension project

Rajshasi: The Bangladesh Sericulture Board (BSB) has been implementing a project for developing the silk sector.

The two-year project titled ‘Implementation of Sericulture Extension and Development Work Plan’ is being implemented in around 40 districts since July 2008 at a cost of Tk 12.16 crore.

The main objective of the project was to develop and extend sericulture and silk industry with the active participation of the government, private entrepreneurs and NGOs, keeping consistency with the PRSP in the light of Millennium Development Goals.

Strengthening the motivation work along with building up a sound relationship between GO and NGO for accelerating the sericulture movement in the country is the main objective of the plan.

Besides, it has also been increasing mulberry cultivation and providing incentive to the farmers and other people engaged in mulberry plantation, production of cocoons and silk yarn and creating marketing facilities of silk product in the country.

BSB chairman Sunil Chandra Paul said mulberry nursery and mini-garden would be established on 760 bighas of land for production of eight lakh mulberry saplings and 10 lakh disinfectant eggs.

Apart from repairing and renovating 14 more nurseries, he said 20 projection plots would be raised for boosting production of high- yielding mulberry plants.

In order to develop expertise, Sunil Chandra said, intensive training would be arranged at home and abroad for the manpower and professionals engaged in sericulture.

Likewise, the targeted farmers and other beneficiaries would be provided with financial supports and other inputs for mulberry production and cocoon rearing.

The existing chawki-rearing centres would be extended and renovated for raising healthy batch of chawki silk-worm and distribution to the farmers.

He said sericulture activities were agri-oriented, labour-intensive and part of rural cottage industries, so the expanded activities have been producing positive results in accelerating rural economy.

On successful implementation of the project by June 2010, it is expected that the project would help create women empowerment and build-up social security boundary for the rural poor.