Marketing of cocoons in sericulture

In sericulture, cocoon marketing is an essential activity that involves the sale and purchase of cocoons, which are the raw material for silk production. There are two main types of cocoon markets:

1. Seed Cocoon Market
2. Commercial Cocoon Market
   • a) Dry Cocoon Market
   • b) Green Cocoon Market

1. SEED COCOON MARKET

• Purpose: Seed cocoons are used for producing hybrid seeds in commercial grainages.
• Production Areas: The Department of Sericulture designates specific areas as P1 or seed cocoon producing zones. Rearers in these areas are known as P1 rearers.
• Rearing Practices: Only pure breeds of silkworms are reared, and no hybrid rearing is allowed. The seed for P1 rearing comes from different P2 stations, also called basic seed stations. The rearing usually concludes in the first week of June.
• Transportation and Sale: P1 cocoons are transported to grainages where hybrid seeds are produced. A calendar is created by the department, specifying dates and quantities for cocoon transportation.
• Pricing and Payment: In Jammu and Kashmir, the government has fixed the price at Rs. 100/kg for seed cocoons (higher than Rs. 70/kg for commercial cocoons). Payment is made on the spot after weighing and storing the cocoons in grainages.

2. COMMERCIAL COCOON MARKET

Commercial cocoon markets are divided into two categories:

• a) Green Cocoon Market
• b) Dry Cocoon Market

a) GREEN COCOON MARKET

• Occurrence: This market is limited in Jammu and Kashmir and takes place immediately after commercial rearing.
• Buyers and Sellers: Reelers interested in purchasing green cocoons inform the Department of Sericulture before the end of spring rearing. A meeting is organized between the buyers (reelers) and producers (rearers) for negotiation and sale.
• Advantages: Some farmers prefer to sell in the green cocoon market to avoid the 2-3 months wait for the dry cocoon market.
• Pricing: Prices are negotiated on the spot between the buyers and sellers.

b) DRY COCOON MARKET

• Timing: In Jammu, this market occurs in June/July, while in the Kashmir Valley, it is held in August/September.
• Drying Process: Rearers dry the cocoons using methods like sun drying, black cloth sun drying, or hot air dryers to kill the pupa and prevent fungal attack. The dried cocoons are stored in loose gunny bags, usually hung from the ceiling to protect from rodents.
• Marketing Calendar: A Cocoon Marketing Calendar is issued by the Department of Sericulture, detailing: District/market names for auctions. Approximate quantity of cocoons for each auction. Contact details of the officers in charge.
• Grading and Pricing:
  • Grading is primarily based on the number of cocoons per kg:
    • A-grade: 1800-2100 cocoons/kg
    • B-grade: Up to 2400 cocoons/kg
    • C-grade: More than 2400 cocoons/kg The government floor price for dry cocoons is fixed at Rs. 210/kg, recently revised to Rs. 500/kg.
• Auction Process: Auctions are conducted on the spot, with various buyers participating in competitive bidding.