8th edition of the India International Silk Fair inaugurated

8th edition of the India International Silk Fair inaugurated

Part of: GS Prelims and GS- III – Economy

In news 

• Union Textiles Minister recently inaugurated the 8th edition of the India International Silk Fair virtually.

Key takeaways

• The fair is considered to be India’s biggest silk fair.
• It is the Sourcing Fair for silk and silk blend products.
• Organised by: Indian Silk Export Promotion Council 
• Ministry: Ministry of Textiles 
• Sponsored by: Department of Commerce

Important value additions

• India is the 2nd largest producer of Silk.
• India is the only country in the world that produces all four major varieties of silk i.e. Mulberry, Eri, Tassar, and Muga.
• Mulberry silk: Mainly in Karnataka
• Non-mulberry Silk: Temperate tussar silk in Maharashtra,WB, Odisha, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh; Tropical tussar silk in sub –himalayan belt ( Manipur, Assam, Meghalaya,etc); Muga Silk in Assam and Eri silk in Assam, Odisha, Bihar
• India has around 11 Geographical Indications (GI) such as: Pochampally Ikat, Chanderpaul Silk, Mysore Silk, Kanchipuram Silk, Muga Silk, Salem Silk, Arni Silk, Champa Silk, Bhagalpur Silk, Banaras Brocade and Sarees, etc.

Related articles:

• Types of silk and challenges of India’s silk industry: Click here