The Sericulture Department has advised farmers to use only recommended pesticides for mulberry crops.
Inaugurating a training programme on “Management and maintenance of mulberry gardens and importance of using recommended pesticides”, organised by the Department of Sericulture and K.R. Pet Sericulture Training Centre at Keelaghatta village in Maddur taluk on Thursday, Deputy Director of Sericulture Sundar Raj informed the farmers about the schemes and benefits available to them under various programmes of the Central Silk Board (CSB) and State government.
A number of benefits were available to sericulture practitioners under the government’s Silk Samagra – 2 project, he said.
While Assistant Director of Sericulture, Maddur, Suresh H.C. spoke about the importance of soil testing and the need to follow scientific guidance for management of mulberry gardens and silkworm rearing, Shivakumar, scientist from CSB’s Research Extension Centre, said that new varieties of mulberry developed by researchers in Mysuru were now available to the farmers.
Mr. Shivakumar explained the management and benefits of new mulberry variety (AGB-8) and double hybrids (TT21xTT58, BFC1xBFC10), and new crossbreed Kaveri Gold (MV1xS8) to the farmers.
He highlighted the importance of temperature, humidity and hygiene maintenance in silkworm rearing houses for the success of sericulture, while also providing details of mulberry pests, their impact and the use of recommended pesticides.
Somanna D., principal of K.R. Pet Sericulture Training Centre, spoke about the importance of tree planting in sericulture and the need for wider spacing for healthy growth of mulberry leaves.
Maddur sericulture extension officer Prashanth Kumar B.N. provided the farmers with details about the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act. K.R. Pet assistant director of Sericulture Suresh was also present on the occasion.
Published – September 12, 2025 06:39 pm IST