The Chhattisgarh State Minor Forest Produce Cooperative Federation Ltd will procure the rally cocoon (natural grown silkworm cocoon) at the government-announced support price.
Forest and Climate Change Minister Mohammad Akbar on Wednesday announced that a decision has been taken to procure the rally cocoon on support price.
The decision will benefit the tribal-forest farmers engaged in sericulture and cocoon production in Bastar division. The Chhattisgarh State Minor Forest Produce Cooperative Federation Ltd will procure it.
The Managing Director of the Federation, Sanjay Shukla, said that at present Chhattisgarh is a leader in natural cocoon production.
Two types of Kosa cocoons are produced. One is rally and other is daba. The daba is procured by the Silk Department. The tribal-forest farmers of Jagdalpur, Dantewada, Keshkal, Narayanpur, Kondagaon and Sukma districts will get direct benefits.
The production of rally Kosa occurs naturally on the Sal tree. Daba Kosa is produced on trees like Arjuna and Saja.
Rally Kosa is superior to daba Kosa in quantity and quality. It is produced in two seasons. The production ranges from 8 to 12 crore rally cocoon with average value of around Rs 40 crores. At present, the rally Kosa is purchased through traders.