India is formulating schemes for the development of silk industry. Seed production units will be strengthened to bring in quality standards in production network, besides increasing production capacity to cater to the increased silk production targets. Indian silk will be promoted through quality certification by Silk Mark not only in the domestic market but also in the export market. Emphasis will be given for use of silkworm by-products for poultry feed, cosmetic applications and value addition through product diversification into non-woven fabrics, silk denim, silk knits etc. Reeling and processing technologies in silk will be upgraded.

Living standards and economic conditions of the downtrodden, poor, backward and tribal families can be improved by encouraging them to take up various sericulture activities. Sericulture is an agro-based cottage industry having a huge employment and income generating potential in rural and semi-urban areas. It is estimated that the sericulture industry provides employment to 90 lakh persons. Of these, a sizeable number of workers belong to the economically weaker sections of society. Women constitute over 60 per cent of those employed in downstream activities of sericulture like mulberry garden management, leaf harvesting and silkworm rearing etc. Even the silk reeling industry including weaving is largely supported by them.