Impact of sericulture on women’s livelihood and empowerment: A study at Mysuru and Mandya district in Karnataka

Introduction

Women empowerment is a key factor in rural development, as it enhances economic growth, social equity, and overall community well-being. In India, sericulture plays a vital role in providing employment opportunities, especially for women, due to its labor-intensive nature (Food and Agriculture Organization, 2019) [5] . The sector is particularly suitable for rural households as it requires relatively low investment and offers regular income throughout the year. Women actively participate in various stages of sericulture, including mulberry cultivation, silkworm rearing, and cocoon harvesting, making it an important source of livelihood. Karnataka is a leading state in silk production, and districts like Mysuru and Mandya are major contributors to the sericulture industry. The favorable climatic conditions, availability of mulberry resources, and strong institutional support have made these regions prominent in silk production. Sericulture offers opportunities for income generation, skill development, and social upliftment of rural women (Central Silk Board, 2021) [3] . In addition to economic benefits, sericulture contributes significantly to women's empowerment by enhancing their decision-making capacity within households and improving their social status in the community. It promotes financial independence and reduces dependency on male family members. Furthermore, sericulture supports inclusive growth by providing employment to marginalized and lesseducated women, thereby reducing rural poverty and migration. The sector also has strong potential for sustainable development, as it is eco-friendly and integrates well with agricultural practices. However, despite its advantages, women engaged in sericulture face several challenges such as lack of technical training, inadequate access to credit, market fluctuations, and limited awareness of government schemes. Addressing these issues is essential to fully realize the potential of sericulture as a tool for women empowerment.

Methodology

The present study is based on primary data collected from selected regions of Mysuru and Mandya districts in Karnataka. A total of 80 respondents were selected using a simple random sampling technique to ensure unbiased representation of the study population. Data were collected through a well-structured questionnaire comprising both open-ended and close-ended questions designed to capture relevant socio-economic and study-specific information. A pilot survey was conducted prior to the main data collection to assess the clarity, consistency, and reliability of the instrument, and necessary revisions were incorporated. The data collection was carried out through personal interviews, enabling better interaction with respondents and improving the accuracy and completeness of responses. The collected data were subsequently coded, classified, and tabulated for systematic analysis. For analytical purposes, descriptive statistical tools such as percentages, frequency distributions, and mean values were employed to interpret the data and draw meaningful conclusions aligned with the research objectives. The scope of the study is limited to 80 respondents from Mysuru and Mandya districts, which may restrict the generalizability of the findings. Nevertheless, the methodology adopted ensures a reasonable degree of validity and reliability. The methodological approach adopted in this study is consistent with established practices in rural livelihood research, as evidenced in studies conducted by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (2020) [9] . www.extensionjournal.com [9] . A large majority (86.25%) are married, and most households consist of 5-7 members.

Results and Discussion

Economic Characteristics

About 85% of respondents own agricultural land, supporting sericulture practices. A significant proportion (41.25%) have more than five years of experience. Women are actively involved in mulberry cultivation and cocoon harvesting, which are key stages in silk production (Central Silk Board, 2022) [3] . Most respondents spend 3-6 hours daily on sericulture work, indicating its role as a supplementary occupation.

Training and Skill Development

Only 12.5% of respondents have received formal training, while most rely on self-learning. Lack of training is a major constraint in sericulture development, as highlighted in earlier studies (Food and Agriculture Organization, 2019) [5] .

Income and Financial Contribution

Nearly half of the respondents earn between ₹30,000 and ₹60,000 annually. Sericulture contributes to household income for all respondents, confirming its importance as a livelihood source (NABARD, 2020).Income is mainly used for household expenses and children's education, with no savings reported. This reflects limited financial security among rural households.

Women Empowerment Indicators

A majority of respondents reported improved financial independence (91.25%), participation in decision-making (72.5%), and improved social status (83.75%). These findings are consistent with empowerment theories that link income generation to increased autonomy (Rural Development Studies).However, only 15% are members of Self-Help Groups, indicating low institutional engagement.

Challenges Faced

Key challenges include lack of financial support, lack of training, and silkworm diseases. Similar constraints have been identified in sericulture sector reports (Central Silk Board, 2021) [3] . A large proportion (77.5%) reported not receiving government support, indicating implementation gaps in welfare schemes.

Suggestions for Improvement

Respondents emphasized the need for:

These suggestions align with policy recommendations for strengthening rural livelihoods (Food and Agriculture Organization, 2019) [5] .

Conclusion

Sericulture has emerged as a powerful instrument for promoting women empowerment in rural areas of Mysuru and Mandya districts. The study clearly indicates that participation in sericulture enhances women's income, strengthens their financial independence, and improves their role in household decision-making. It also contributes to social upliftment by increasing their confidence, status, and participation in community activities.

References

1. Angadi MN, et al. Role of sericulture in rural development and women empowerment. Indian J Sericulture. 2019.
2. Awasthi HK. Sericulture and Silk Industry. New Delhi: Oxford & IBH Publishing; 2016.
3. Central Silk Board. Annual Reports on Sericulture Development. Government of India. 2021, 2022, 2023.
4. Desai V. Rural Development in India. Mumbai: Himalaya Publishing House; 2018.
5. Food and Agriculture Organization. Sericulture and Rural Livelihoods Report. 2019, 2021.
6. Lakshmanan S, Geetha Devi R. Impact of sericulture on socio-economic development. J Rural Dev. 2017.
7. National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development. Rural Livelihood Reports. 2023, 2023.
8. Reddy PS. Women empowerment through sericulture in Karnataka. Int J Agric Sci. 2018.