To achieve self-sufficiency in silk production by 2022, production of high grade silk in India is expected to reach 20,650 tonne by 2022 from the current level of 11,326 tonne thereby reducing imports to zero. Initiative is part of ₹ 2161.68 crore package for silk industry approved by the Cabinet. The effort is part of the ₹ 2,161.68 crore `Integrated Scheme for Development of Silk Industry’ approved by the Cabinet on Wednesday for three years from 2017-18 to 2019-20.

R&D projects pertaining to disease resistant silkworm, host plant improvements, productivity enhancing tools and implements for reeling and waving etc. will be done in cooperation with other Ministries such as Science and Technology, Agriculture and Human Resource Development (HRD) according to the approved plans.

R&D being one of the components, other components of the scheme include setting up seed organizations and farmers extension centres, coordination and market development for seed, yarn and silk products and having a Quality Certification System in place. A Quality Certification System would require creating a chain of silk testing facilities, farm based & post-cocoon technology up-gradation, and export brand promotion.

Textile Minister Smriti Irani said at a press conference that “We believe that R&D effort shouldn’t stay restricted to the Textile Ministry. That is why for the first time, under the chairmanship of Textile Secretary, an inter-ministerial committee will be set up where, with the help of other ministries, about ₹ 1,000 crore will be made available for R&D, technology transfer and training” She also said that the Textile Ministry will set up an inter-ministerial committee and allocate it a sum of ₹ 1,000 crore to promote research & development (R&D), technology transfer and training in the sector.

Textile Minister Smriti Irani said at a press conference that “We believe that R&D effort shouldn’t stay restricted to the Textile Ministry. That is why for the first time, under the chairmanship of Textile Secretary, an inter-ministerial committee will be set up where, with the help of other ministries, about ₹ 1,000 crore will be made available for R&D, technology transfer and training”

The Minister said that,” For only technology transfer, we plan to train 50,000 people,” and explained that the the centre of interest would be on training, transfer of technology and IT initiatives under R&D.