Directorate of Sericulture
Nurturing Bengal’s Silk Heritage • Strengthening Rural Livelihoods • Building a Modern Sericulture Economy
From Soil to Silk
An integrated ecosystem connecting cultivation, rearing, cocoon production, processing, value addition and market-linked enterprise.
A State-level Organisation for Sericulture Development
The Directorate of Sericulture, Government of West Bengal, is the State-level organisation entrusted with the development and promotion of sericulture across West Bengal. It works towards strengthening the complete sericulture value chain—from development of silkworm food plants and production of quality silkworm seed to scientific rearing, cocoon production, post-cocoon activities, skill development, marketing and enterprise promotion.
Sericulture occupies a distinctive position in West Bengal’s rural economy by combining livelihood generation, traditional knowledge, skilled rural employment, enterprise development and value addition within a single production ecosystem.
A Journey of Institutional Development
Establishment of an Independent Directorate
Recognising the immense potential of sericulture for strengthening the rural economy and its labour-intensive character, the Government of West Bengal created a separate Directorate of Sericulture in 1975 under the erstwhile Cottage & Small Scale Industries Department.
Sericulture Division under the Directorate of Textiles
The Directorate subsequently functioned under the Directorate of Textiles as the Sericulture Division, headed by the Commissioner of Textiles, under the administrative control of the Micro & Small Scale Enterprises & Textiles Department.
Integration with the Agriculture Department
Vide G.O. No. 1006-Home (Cons)/R2R (Cons)-08/2016 dated 19.12.2016, the Directorate of Sericulture was transferred to the Department of Agriculture, Government of West Bengal, with effect from 2017.
The administrative transition appropriately recognised the close linkage between sericulture, host-plant cultivation, farm-based livelihoods and the wider rural development ecosystem.
Three Interconnected Segments
Sericulture is a uniquely integrated activity extending from cultivation to enterprise. Its value chain can broadly be viewed through three interconnected segments.
Host Plant Development & Cultivation
Cultivation and scientific management of silkworm food plants forming the biological foundation of silk production.
Silkworm Rearing & Cocoon Production
Production and supply of silkworm seed, scientific silkworm rearing and production of quality cocoons through improved technologies and field-level extension support.
Post-Cocoon & Value Addition
This segment transforms cocoons into marketable silk and creates opportunities for rural enterprise, employment, technology adoption and value addition.
Key Information
An overview of the administrative structure, sector coverage, core value chain and development orientation of the Directorate.