India is the second largest producer of silk in the World. Tasar silk contributes around 10% of the total silk production. It involves the raising of food plants for silkworm, rearing of silkworm for production of cocoons, reeling and spinning of cocoon for production of yarn which is used to manufacture fabric.

Pre-Cocoon Segment : Rearing of Tasar silkworm in the natural forest and harvest of cocoons :

Tasar seed production, silkworm rearing and harvest of cocoons belong to this segment. Rearers, majorities of whom are tribal people, live in the forest or in the fringe areas. Low level of economy, the suitability of Tasar for utilizing family labor, favorable weather conditions and low investment and low economic gestation of the business sustains nearly 100,000 families

However, at the level of producers, Tasar silkworm rearing is fraught with risks.

TDF here brings the scientific vigor and technology in collaboration with Central Silk Board to withstand these climatic vagaries, access of quality eggs, training & capacity building of the rearer’s and seed producers. TDF also helps in organizing traditional rearer’s, to protect and maintain their host tree stock TDF pioneered in establishing private seed production units called Grainages in Tasar sector. These Grainages function as home based service enterprise to produce high quality eggs- Disease Free Layings (DFLs) and cater to the rearer’s in the local area. This intervention has significantly contributed to stabilize Tasar cocoon production in the sector. TDF also promotes the concept of scientific rearing among silkworm rearer’s and participation of women in Tasar silkworm rearing. TDF has also created a pool of over 350 Community Resource Persons, and a team of Professionals and Subject Matter Specialists, trained to work with the producer communities, The Collaboration between TDF and the Central Silk Board (previously through PRADAN), the apex sericulture organization in India for over a decade, is perhaps the longest GO-NGO partnership to promote grassroots action in Sericulture sector.