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The south Indian state of Karnataka was the leading raw silk producer, with over 12 thousand metric tons of raw silk produced in fiscal year 2024. The Ramanagara district in Karnataka is the largest market for silk cocoons in Asia. 

Sericulture - agro-based industry

Sericulture comprises of two important activities: cultivating food for silkworms and reeling the cocoons spun by the worms for unwinding the filament to process and weave. Domesticated silkworm such as Bombyx mori, are fed mulberry leaves to obtain Mulberry silk, the leading silk variety in India. As a labor-intensive industry with a low gestation period and high returns, the sericulture industry provides gainful employment to weaker and marginalized sections of the society.

Ahimsa silk

Traditionally, silk cocoons are boiled along with the silkworms to harvest the fibers. As the production of silk threads from the cocoon is very cruel to the silk worms, many refrain from owning silk products. In contrast, Peace silk or Ahimsa silk is made by naturally allowing the silkworm to emerge out of the cocoon. This variety of silk has the same feel of silk but has a raw appearance. Designers are leaning towards using cruelty-free silks such as Spider silk, Lotus silk, and Art silk.