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Scientist turns entrepreneur in India's silk sector
Six years after leaving her research career in Singapore, Dr. Jolapuram Umamaheswari now runs a thriving silk farm in Andhra Pradesh, applying her scientific expertise to sericulture-a field she describes as a blend of biology, precision, and business.
The challenges of sericulture
Umamaheswari's transition wasn't seamless. Early struggles included disease outbreaks, unpredictable yields, and the complexities of managing living organisms. However, her background in science proved invaluable.
"Gradual refinements in hygiene, feeding methods, and environmental controls led to better survival rates and higher-quality cocoons," she explains. Today, her farm produces 10 batches of raw silk annually, with each cycle spanning 25 to 30 days, generating a steady monthly income of approximately $1,000.
"Sericulture offers regular returns, not just seasonal income, if managed well."
Dr. Jolapuram Umamaheswari
Technology transforms traditional practices
India's silk industry, the world's second-largest after China, is undergoing a digital and biotechnological revolution. Krishna Tomala, founder of Asho Farms, highlights the role of automation in silkworm rearing.
"Silkworms grow nearly a thousandfold in 25 days, but their survival hinges on precise temperature, humidity, and leaf quality," he says. Manual monitoring has been replaced by sensors and AI-driven systems that adjust climate conditions and detect early signs of disease with over 99% accuracy.
India's unique silk varieties and innovations
India stands out for producing all four commercial silk types: Mulberry, Tasar, Eri, and Muga-the latter exclusive to Assam and Meghalaya. Manthira Moorthy of the Central Silk Board notes ongoing advancements in genome editing to develop disease-resistant silkworm strains, in collaboration with international partners like Japan.
The board is also exploring uses for by-products, such as silkworm pupae, which are rich in protein and repurposed as poultry and fish feed.
Sustainability and future concerns
Satheesh Kannur, whose company specializes in reeling-converting cocoons into raw silk yarn-praises technological strides in automation and solar-powered machinery. Yet, he warns of a looming shortage of cocoons due to declining farmer participation and fragmented landholdings.
"The industry's growth depends on farmers. Without cocoons, there is no silk."
Satheesh Kannur
The Central Silk Board disputes this, citing rising cocoon production despite fewer farmers, thanks to improved techniques and scientific support.
A low-tech expansion plan
Back in Andhra Pradesh, Umamaheswari is diversifying her farm with a cow shed, adding dairy income and organic fertilizer for mulberry plants. "Small improvements in technique can significantly boost yield and quality," she says, underscoring sericulture's appeal for those who enjoy hands-on problem-solving.
