Ericulture at Jaraguri village under district of

Introduction comes from the worm Samiacynthiaricini, found in North East of . Eri culture is the most predominate in Assam which is gaining popularity day by day. The creamy white silk produced by the caterpillar is warm, strong, durable and resistant to sunlight, acid and alkalis. Its fabrics become bright and glossary after every wash. Rearing of Eri is done indoor having five to six life cycles in a year. The worm is poly-phagous and it depends on several varieties of food plants. Payam, Tapioca, Barkessere, barpat, Gulancha, Gamarietc. are the food plants of Eri. However, castor and Keseruare regarded as the best food plants for Eri, because castor and keseruhave been recommended to the garden for raising systematic. Sericulture plays an important role in the rural economy of the North Eastern Region (NER) of India. The Sericultural sector in the Bodoland Territorial Area Districts (BTAD) comprising 4(four) districts namely, Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa&Udalguri of Assam are also doing remarkable works. The climatic condition of the area is favourable for silk worm food plantation as well as rearing. The number of families engaged in sericulture was 50510 nos. Mainly Eri, Muga and Mulberry culture practice in BTAD and all the subdivisions take part to the culture. The sericulture sector provides benefit to this region in many ways. It generates employment in multiple ways, it generates income to different level to different groups and provide better income in various activities compare to some other activities, it is an agro based industry therefore it protects the environment. Rural people of the BTAD are playing major role for the growth of in sericulture, significantly, in Muga and Eri silk production. Therefore, it is an attempt to highlight the scope of silk industry as a source of income and Self-employment Avenue. Profile of ARYA village Name of village: Jaraguri Pakrirguri Burachara No. of Household: 215 179 220 Total population: 979 in 149 893 in 205 1036 in 488 ( Geographical (Geographical ( Geographical area in hectare) area- in hactare) area in hectare) No. of Youth 107 98 113 (<35 years): Farming system: Paddy, mustard, Paddy, Mustard, Paddy, Bamboo, banana Maize, tapioca, ericulture, (malbhog), weaving, Amla tapioca,keseru Bogori, ericulture weaving, maize, and weaving piggery, poultry

Profile of the Entrepreneur Name of youth: 5 Women youth from Bodo tribes (ST Community) headed by SmtiNiratiBasumatary from Jaraguri Village Age: All aged between 29 to 33 years Education: VIII to XII pass Experiences:Eri rearing since 5 years Economic conditions: Unemployed youth with very low income. Interventions made under ARYA: Scientific method of eri rearing, yarn making from solar cum electric cum pedal operated eri spinning machine and weaving of diversified hand-woven products without disturbing indigenous Bodo motifs and design. Objectives:  To enhance annual income of selected beneficiaries through eri silk worm rearing.  To uplift the social status by producing handwoveneri diversified product.  To train youth on different ways to produce union fabric and value addition through incorporation of different elements and principle of design for better marketability. Technical details:  Scientific method of eri rearing leads to more cocoon production than traditional method of cocoon rearing.  Availability of eri food plant leads to round the year cocoon production and hence castor, kesseruand tapioca plantation is encouraged in farmer’s field by providing seedlings and seeds.  Space is well utilized.  Eri larvae are less susceptible to disease, mortality and morbidity.  Tensile strength of yarn is increased if primary or secondary food plant as castor or kesserurespectively followed by tapioca is provided as feed to larvae.  Yarn making through use of Takliis time consuming over motorized solar operated 3 in 1 spinning machine. Input/support provided to youth group: Input Provided:-  Eri egg- 250gm  Food plant -200 kesseru plants  Rearing rack ( 4 Selves)- 5 no. s  Rearing tray -20 no.s  Black plastic- 20 m  Black curtain -15 no.s window curtain  Mountage ( chandraki) -10 no.s  3 in 1 solar cum electric cum pedal operated spinning machine- 5 no.s  Support provided: -  Training and in hand demonstration.

Output of the enterprise: Average egg hatched 85% Average weight of single cocoon with 3.5 gm pupae Average weight of single shell castor 0.4 gm Feed Average weight of single shell Keseru Kesseru seeding is planted and are in Feed growing stage. Cocoon production 15 kg Pupae 80 kg Eri rearing done till date 3 times ( April to Dec 19) Eri egg produce for next rearing 300 dfls Cost of cocoon/kg Rs. 800/- Cost of pupae/ kg Rs 200/- Average Income from pupae/ crop RS 200/- x 80 Kg = 16000/- Average income from cocoon/ crop Rs 900/- X 15 kg= 13500/- Eri yarn cost/kg Rs 3000/-

Benefit to farmers:  Average income by single crop = Rs 29,500/-  Eri rearing done from April to December 2019 is 3 times  Gross income is Rs 88,500/-

Constraints faced by the entrepreneur:  Lack of rearing house leads to foul smelling.  Lack of availability of agriculture land for food plant cultivation specially in Jaraguri village is a main constrain.  Collection of food plant for eri larvae from other village demands transportation charges.  Collection of food plants from road sides are soiled with chemicals and thus leads to mortality of eri larvae.  Disposable of excreta Perception of others in the village:  Eri culture is a profitable business.  Rearer’s don’t have to run to sale their goods as goods are sale at their door step.  Eri cocoon are non-perishable and hence can be stored in any jute bag or bamboo tray.  Eri larvae which is a proteinous food and are in high demand in local market.  Eri cocoon can be treated with chemical and thus yarn can be easily spun in solar operated spinning machine where electricity is a main constrain in remote village areas.

Conclusion: Rearing of eri silk worm is a traditional method of rearing. Scientific intervention in this field leads to more production without compromising cocoon quality and quantity. Product diversification and value addition of handwoven fabric made out of eri yarn with traditional bododesign will attack more community and thus cater more market.

Rearing of eri cocoon

Eri egg production Cocoon production