The Indian government has approved the continuation of the Catalytic Development Program (CDP) for the silk industry with an outlay of Rs 889 crores in the 12th plan period. The scheme will help generate direct and indirect employment for 9.24 million people by 2017. The core objective is to scale up production, particularly production of quality, bivoltine and improved cross-breed silk cocoons in the country through the cluster approach.
The program supports stake holders in operations ranging from food plant cultivation to marketing of products in mulberry, tussar and muga silk. Technology absorption, investment generation, productivity improvement and employment generation form the basic objective of the program. Some of the existing components of CDP have been deepened or modified by taking up certain additional inputs. A new component Special Initiatives (Flexi Fund) has also been proposed to address critical requirements for implementation of sericulture projects.
The Catalytic Development Program is implemented by the Central Silk Board for development of sericulture. The program aims at increased productivity, quality and promotion of new technologies. Financial assistance is provided for planting high yield mulberry varieties, installation of drip irrigation system, construction of separate rearing houses, procurement of improved rearing equipments, supply of quality disinfectants etc.
