ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE OF MULBERRY SERICULTURE VIS-À-VIS OTHER AGRICULTURAL CROPS IN MAHARASHTRA A CROSS-SECTIONAL ANALYSIS.

Maharashtra has shown a phenomenal growth in sericulture development among non-traditional silk producing states in the country. During 1990s, the average cocoon yield obtained by the farmers was around 25-30 kg/100 dfls, which increased to about 50-55 kg in 2009-10. Considering its potential in silk production, a study was taken up to analyze costs and return from sericulture with other important agricultural crops by the farmers. The study was conducted in Solapur district of Maharashtra during 2009-10. The study has revealed that sericulture is more profitable than wheat. Although, sugarcane cultivation is found to be marginally higher benefit than sericulture, in terms of income periodicity and employment generation, sericulture has been relatively better off. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]