The Union Textiles Ministry is advancing a pioneering initiative to utilize castor leaves for silk production in Bihar, aiming to enhance silk output and generate employment opportunities. Traditionally, silk production relies on mulberry leaves, but this new approach seeks to introduce castor leaves, particularly in Bhagalpur district, renowned for its castor cultivation. Other key castor-producing districts in Bihar include Purnea, Munger, Saran, Champaran, and Muzaffarpur, making them potential future sites for this innovative pilot project.

Eri silk, derived from castor leaves, is characterized by its soft, warm, and durable qualities, akin to wool, suitable especially for winter apparel. The initiative is poised to commence under the newly formed NDA government within the initial 125 days, with plans to cultivate the samia ricini insect on castor leaves, enriching their existing applications beyond silk to include medicinal uses, lubricants, and thatched roof materials.

The strategy aims not only to diversify India’s silk production but also to mitigate dependence on imports. India currently imports silk from countries like Vietnam, China, Myanmar, Brazil, and Hong Kong due to insufficient local production to meet domestic demands in textile and fashion industries. Recent export data from the Commerce Ministry underscores this challenge, with fluctuating values reflecting varying import-export gaps over recent fiscal years.

This ambitious initiative underscores the ministry's commitment to innovation and sustainable economic growth, leveraging Bihar’s agricultural diversity to bolster the nation’s silk sector and foster broader economic benefits for farmers and stakeholders alike.