SERICUL TURE AND THE PROCESS OF CHANGE - Institute for ...

households where contract labourers are employed, the chawkie rearing
of the worms is mostly taken care of personally before transferring the
same into the hands of the labourers. Further, their own supervisory and
participatory role would continue. However, due to various reasons, the
degree of involvement may vary resulting in varying yield levels. A
person who will not be able to fulfill these requirements may not opt for
sericulture at all even if there is a desire for it. Another may drop out
from sericulture itself, again for the same reason. This is done either by
one's own realization of one's inability, or forced out, due to the poor
yield performance.
Technical efficiency is another factor which is very important for
the right pursuance and success of the enterprise. Efficiency could be
gained through one's own experience or through a qualitative training or
both as well as through a healthy interaction with neighbours and the
extension staff. F 0r all these, one should also possess a critical mind,
humility and curiosity to learn. Many of the successful sericulturists bear
witness to this character. The experience and skill in sericulture
naturally lend some credence in the performance level as it indicates the
competence of the rearers.
Health compatibility IS a critical factor in the adoption of
sericulture. Silk worm rearing involves certain health implications, like
breathing problem, asthmatic complaints, chest pain etc., to certain body
types. There are instances of drop-outs from sericulture as a result of
this alone. Veerasamy in E N Pura is one such case. This factor also
restricts some of the labourers involving in sericulture work though a
few may even put up with it. Some complain of a burning sensation in
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