DefinePK

Abstract

ABSTRACT Sericulture is a labour intensive cottage industry, capable of significant contribution towards easing the employment problems and improving the socio-economic of the rural masses. The export of silk can also be an excellent source of foreign exchange earning due to its enormous demand world over. Sericulture was introduced in Taxila locality of Punjab immediately after independence in 1947. Subsequently, it was introduced in and around the irrigated forest plantation where mulberry was available in abundance to support the silkworm rearing programme. Since then it made a slow but steady progress in Punjab. Presently, sericulture is one of the major cottage industries in rural areas of the province. The activity is mainly concentrated around irrigated forest plantations of Changa Manga, Daphar, Chichawatni, Kamalia, Khanewal, Bhagat, Kundian and Jauharabad. Besides it is scattered on a small scale in various other parts of the province viz: Shakargarh, Sialkot, Gujranwala, Kasur, Sharkpur, Faisalabad, Rajana, Gojra, Sargodha, Soan Skasar Valley, Taxila, Okara, Pipliphar, Multan Chishtian, Bahawalpur and Rahim Yar Khan area.