Andhra Pradesh to promote quality silk production.

Andhra Pradesh is making efforts to promote quality silk production by incentivising silk-rearing units, state agriculture minister K Kannababu told a recent meeting of reelers and farmers organised in Chebrolu village in East Godavari district by the Central Silk Technological Research Station, the Central Silk Board and the state department of sericulture.

Mulberry plantations will be encouraged under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) and a training centre will be established at Chebrolu with an investment of Rs. 15 lakh to train farmers, he said.

The quality of silk would help the state minimise imports from China and Karnataka, a report in top English-language daily quoted the minister as saying. Steps will be taken to pay incentive arrears to silk farmers in the state after a discussion with the chief minister, he added.