Dearth of local markets, little government support and a devastating disorder that is rendering silkworms unable to spin cocoons have cornered sericulture farmers in Chebrolu, one of the largest mulberry plant cultivating belts in Andhra. As the crisis deepens, many have altogether abandoned the business, switching to cotton and oil palm, but some cling on to the hope that Chebrolu will survive and emerge as the State’s Silk City, writes T. Appala Naidu
Dearth of local markets, little government support and a devastating disorder that is rendering silkworms unable to spin cocoons have cornered sericulture farmers in Chebrolu, one of the largest mulberry plant cultivating belts in Andhra. As the crisis deepens, many have altogether abandoned the business, switching to cotton and oil palm, but some cling on to the hope that Chebrolu will survive and emerge as the State’s Silk City, writes T. Appala Naidu