Economic performance of mulberry cocoon production under different methods using chawki worms

摘要

The mulberry cocoon production for commercial purpose is generally done under two methods viz., Shoot Feeding (SF) and Shelf Rearing (SR). In both the methods chawki maintenance and rearing is crucial for successful cocoon production in the initialstages. Thus, the dependence of silkworm rearers on chawki worms has become more popular in recent years because of several advantages like quality worms, higher cocoon yield, assured crop, rearing holiday etc. The main aim of the study was to know theperformance of chawki worms under SF and SR methods of cocoon production. It has been estimated that. the total cost of cocoon production per crop of 500 Dfl's was Rs. 17794.77, of which the expenditure on rearing of silkworms alone was to the tune of Rs. 15865.08 in SF method and these figures were Rs. 19687.14 and Rs. 17396.24 in SR method of cocoon production. Among the rearing costs, the cost on mulberry leaf accounted maximum in both the cases followed by labour component and chawki worms. However,the cost incurred towards labour in SR method was found to be marginally higher (23.10 percent) over SF (19.38 percent). On an average rearers have realised a net return of Rs. 14655.23 under SF and Rs. 12342.86 in case of SR for every crop of 500 Dfl's. Further, for producing every kilogram of cocoon, rearers have incurred an expenditure of Rs. 67.15 and Rs. 75.29 thereby realising a net margin of Rs. 55.30 and Rs. 47.20, in shoot and shelf method of rearing, respectively. For every rupee invested incocoon production a return of Rs. 1.82 in SF and Rs. 1.63 in SR were realised.