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

These are mainly rain-fed lands and dominated by crops like 'Samai',
'kollu' (horsegram) and tosome extent, 'Aariyam' (ragi),
The most adopted irrigated crop other than paddy is mulberry that
occupies about 6,2 per cent of the total land area in Seripura, Though
this looks very low, it forms almost 40 per cent of the total fully
irrigated lands of Seripura. Since mulberry requires water throughout the
year, though on a medium scale as compared to paddy or sugarcane, its
share in the irrigated cropped area is exceptionally high. The average
area of mulberry cultivation is 0,8 acre while it is above one acre in the
case of all other major crops. About 36 per cent of the land-holders have
gone for mulberry cultivation, However, this forms about 75 per cent of
those who have access to fully irrigated lands,
Diversified Economy
The people of Seripura are engaged in varied activities, a majority
of which are related to land. An attempt is made here to discern the
extent of the involvement of the work force in different activities and
understand the nature of economic diversification. An attempt has also
been made subsequently, to solicit the sources of income, which again
would enable to understand the extent of commercialisation of the
village economy. It would also enable to understand the position of
sericulture in the whole economic scenario of the village,
The activities have been grouped under distinct categories. Those
who depend on the cultivation of crops are grouped under 'agriculture',
Those who are engaged in own silkworm rearing fall under the category
'sericulture'. Those who are engaged in livestock breeding are grouped
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