Patna, Mar 16 (KNN) With the aim to attain self-sufficiency in silk production, the Bihar government on Wednesday announced advanced technological support for farmers to increase productivity of cocoon and raw silk in the state.

The Bihar government has also decided to provide skilled training and technical guidance to farmers in mulberry cultivation, silkworm rearing, and silk reeling activities.

Participating in the debate on the industries department budget for 2023–24 in the state assembly, Bihar Industry Minister Samir Kumar Mahaseth said, "The Mahagathbandhan government in Bihar has decided to provide advanced infrastructural facilities to farmers engaged in sericulture in the state. Around 5,277 farmers in Saharsa, Madhepura, and Supaul districts are already availing facilities being provided by the department to increase the production of mulberry."

"Similarly, over 300 farmers in Banka, Munger, Nawada, Kaimur, and Jamui districts have been provided motorized spinning machines by the department," he added.

The government is motivating the farmers and entrepreneurs to adopt improved technologies to bring down the production cost by increasing production and productivity of quality cocoons and silk. In order to help farmers and provide them raw materials throughout the year, the government has decided to establish ‘Cocoon Banks’ in Banka district, the minister said.

Mahaseth pointed out that Bihar has already received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag for producing Bhagalpuri silk, which helps in getting recognition for the product in the global market.

The minister also announced that, in an attempt to provide impetus to domestically manufactured goods and employment opportunities to the people of the state, the Industries department has directed all state-controlled bodies to accord priority and price preference in government procurement to products manufactured by industrial units located within the state.

The department has directed that the existing state’s ‘Purchase Preference Policy" (2002 version) and "Bihar Finance (Amendment) Rules, 2005’ should be strictly followed and ‘purchase preference must be given to domestic manufacturers and suppliers in government procurement.

Earlier, the state government had announced Rs 1648.81 crore budget for 2023-24.  (KNN Bureau)