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Thu, 23 Apr 2026

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 From scientist to silk farmer: India's silk industry renewal

Silk production is an increasingly high-tech business in India.
Dr Jolapuram Umamaheswari, a former scientist in Singapore, abandoned her career six years ago to start a sericulture farm in Andhra Pradesh, India. The venture proved challenging, but her scientific background helped her overcome issues like disease outbreaks and inconsistent yields. Today, she produces 10 crops of raw silk per year, with each batch taking around 25-30 days to grow. Umamaheswari's experience is not unique. Modern sericulture is undergoing a digital and biotechnological shift, with farms incorporating sensors, automated systems, and AI-powered monitoring to optimize conditions for silkworm growth. Asho Farms, for example, uses computer vision and machine learning to detect diseases in silkworm larvae. India is the world's second-largest silk producer, behind China, but it boasts an unparalleled range of products, including Muga silk, found only in Assam and Meghalaya. The Central Silk Board is exploring new research areas, such as genome editing, which has led to the development of disease-resistant silkworm varieties. However, experts warn that India's sericulture industry faces a significant challenge: securing sufficient supplies of high-quality cocoons from farmers. With many second-generation farmers opting out of silk farming and landholdings fragmented, the industry may struggle to meet growing demand. Despite these concerns, the Silk Board remains optimistic about the industry's prospects, citing advancements in rearing techniques and disease control as contributing factors to rising production levels.