International Journal of Development in Social Sciences and Humanities

The present study investigates the trends in the growth of area, production, and productivity of sericulture cultivation in Karnataka state. Sericulture cultivation involves the cultivation of silk through the production of mulberry and the rearing of silkworms, primarily Bombyx mori, to obtain silk cocoons, which are subsequently processed into raw silk. It is a labour-intensive, agro-based activity that plays a vital role in supporting rural livelihoods. Karnataka is the largest producer of silk in India, accounting for approximately 50 - 55% of the nation’s total silk production. Sericulture, as an agro-based industry, plays a significant role in the rural economy, with mulberry cultivation covering nearly 1.2 - 1.4 lakh hectares. The sector supports rural livelihoods by providing regular employment opportunities, particularly in rainfed and marginal areas where alternative crops are often less remunerative. The study is mainly based on two objectives: (i) to examine the growth and development of sericulture cultivation in Karnataka; and (ii) to analyze the trends in the growth of area, production, and productivity of sericulture cultivation in the state. The study adopts a research methodology based on secondary data collected for the period from 2015 to 2023. As per the result, the correlation coefficient of 0.8319 indicates a very strong relationship. As the government and farmers increase the area under mulberry cultivation, the production of raw silk follows a significant upward trajectory. With a P-value of 0.0054, the result is highly significant. This means there is less than a 1% probability that this relationship is due to random chance.