Over the last four years, raw silk production in India has increased but we are yet to become self-sufficient on account of growing demand for silk products. Raw silk production saw an increase of 30,348 tonnes during 2016-17 from 28,523 tonnes as compared to 2016 previous after a marginal slump in production during 2015-16.

The country continues to import no less than 6,000 tonnes of silk every year from China while the government’s ambition to become self-supporting in production remains unfulfilled. Central Silk Board (CSB) chairman K M Hanumantharayappa says demand (for silk) continues to grow every year.

The demand for silk products particularly saris and readymade garments are also increasing. Due to promotion of sericulture in the country, a number of organised players had set up modern silk goods production units. Till a few years ago, most weavers preferred Chinese silk for its superior quality and would use imported silk along with indigenous silk. In terms of quality there is no need of imported silk in terms of quality. Production of bivoltine silk has increased in recent times to constitute 25 per cent of the mulberry silk variety produced in India. According to the Central Sericultural Research and Training Institute (CSR&TI) Bivoltine silk is as good if not better than imported silk.

The difference between imported and indigenous silk was not much even after decrease in import duty. As per the (CSR&TI) if imported silk is available to weavers for Rs 3,500 a kg, indigenous silk is available for Rs 3,200.