• Battula Sujatha

In India Sericulture forms an important component of the rural economy, combining agriculture, animal husbandry and small scale industry in a unique way. India is the second – largest producer of silk after China. In India, Andhra Pradesh ranks as the second-largest producer of silk after Karnataka. Within Andhra Pradesh, Sri Sathya Sai district holds the top position in silk production, owing to its favorable geographical and agro-climatic conditions for mulberry cultivation. Sri Sathya Sai district (Rayalaseema region), home to major mulberry belts and regulated cocoon markets such as Hindupur and Kadiri, is a leading contributor to Andhra Pradesh’s silk output. This paper reviews the performance of sericulture in Sri Sathya Sai district, Andhra Pradesh, drawing on data from the Andhra Pradesh Socio-Economic Survey 2024–25 (Annexure 5.27) and complementary government, academic, and market sources. In FY 2024–25 the district recorded 56,110 acres under mulberry, 26,242.6 MT cocoon production (3,619.6 MT raw silk equivalent) and 29,097 sericulture farmers(SES 2024–25). Strengths include concentrated producer bases, established markets and active scheme implementation (Silk Samagra and state programmes). Constraints such as seasonal price volatility, DFL and sapling quality, power and cold-chain gaps, and climate stress highlight the need for a targeted roadmap combining cluster development, hatchery quality assurance, cold-chain and grading investments, technology pilots and rigorous monitoring to consolidate leadership while improving farmer incomes and resilience.

In India Sericulture forms an important component of the rural economy, combining agriculture, animal husbandry and small scale industry in a unique way. India is the second – largest producer of silk after China. In India, Andhra Pradesh ranks as the second-largest producer of silk after Karnataka. Within Andhra Pradesh, Sri Sathya Sai district holds the top position in silk production, owing to its favorable geographical and agro-climatic conditions for mulberry cultivation. Sri Sathya Sai district (Rayalaseema region), home to major mulberry belts and regulated cocoon markets such as Hindupur and Kadiri, is a leading contributor to Andhra Pradesh’s silk output. This paper reviews the performance of sericulture in Sri Sathya Sai district, Andhra Pradesh, drawing on data from the Andhra Pradesh Socio-Economic Survey 2024–25 (Annexure 5.27) and complementary government, academic, and market sources. In FY 2024–25 the district recorded 56,110 acres under mulberry, 26,242.6 MT cocoon production (3,619.6 MT raw silk equivalent) and 29,097 sericulture farmers(SES 2024–25). Strengths include concentrated producer bases, established markets and active scheme implementation (Silk Samagra and state programmes). Constraints such as seasonal price volatility, DFL and sapling quality, power and cold-chain gaps, and climate stress highlight the need for a targeted roadmap combining cluster development, hatchery quality assurance, cold-chain and grading investments, technology pilots and rigorous monitoring to consolidate leadership while improving farmer incomes and resilience.

"Current Status of Sericulture in Sri Sathya Sai Districts of Andhra Pradesh- A Review", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.12, Issue 1, page no.h666-h678, January-2025, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2501766.pdf

"Current Status of Sericulture in Sri Sathya Sai Districts of Andhra Pradesh- A Review", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.12, Issue 1, page no. pph666-h678, January-2025, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2501766.pdf