New Delhi: The Union textiles ministry has proposed using castor leaves to produce silk, with the aim of boosting silk production in Bihar and creating employment opportunities, two people directly involved in the process said. Mulberry leaves are traditionally used to produce this costly fabric. The ministry is working on a plan for a pilot project in Bihar, beginning with the district of Bhagalpur, a major castor-producing area.
Other districts in Bihar that produce significant amounts of castor include Purnea, Munger, Saran, Champaran, and Muzaffarpur. The pilot may be extended to other parts of the country to make castor an alternative for silk production. The silk produced from castor leaves is known as eri silk.
It is soft, warm and durable, with a wool-like texture, making it suitable for winter wear. “The concept note is being prepared, and the project may start within the first 125 days of the newly formed NDA government,” one of the people said. Also read: Your next dental implant could be made of fabric "The insect samia ricini (will now be grown on the leaves of castor plants, which are known for producing seeds used in medicine and lubricants, and stems used for making thatched roofs,” this person added.
“Diversifying the types of silk produced helps reduce dependence on a single source. Using castor leaves for eri silk production will provide an alternative to the more common mulberry silk," the second person said. “Besides, castor plants are versatile.
