Salem, Oct 28: Sericulture, silk worms in castor and tapioca leaves, are to be introduced in Tamil Nadu for farmers of drought affected areas. Addressing a seminar here today, Union Sericulture Department Secretary Joy Oomen, said in Salem and Namakkal districts alone there were 90,000 acres of land under tapioca and castor cultivation. This land will be utilised during drought period for sericulture, he said. Oomen said one kg of leaves costed Rs 250, which could easily fetch the farmer Rs 2000 to 4000 per acre.
District Collector Sethu Ramachandran, former Tamil Nadu Agriculture UniveRsity Vice-Chancellor Dr S Jayaraj, Tamil Nadu Sericulture Department Director Kample, were among those addressed the seminar.
Bureau Report