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Gujarat Taps Its Abundant Castor Crop To Expand Eri Silk Production

• By  Textile Excellence
• July 21, 2026

India's efforts to expand sustainable silk production have reached Gujarat, with the Ministry of Textiles and the Central Silk Board (CSB) pushing for the large-scale promotion of castor-based Eri sericulture in the state.

Smt. Arti Kanwar, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, and Shri P. Sivakumar, Member Secretary, CSB, met Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel to review ongoing initiatives and discuss scaling up Eri silk production using Gujarat's abundant castor crop.

Unlike conventional mulberry silk, Eri silk is produced by silkworms reared on castor leaves. Known for its soft, warm and durable texture, Eri silk is increasingly gaining attention as a sustainable natural fibre with growing domestic and international demand.

The Gujarat initiative is part of the Centre's broader strategy to diversify India's sericulture sector, improve farmer incomes and reduce dependence on imported silk. In recent years, the Ministry of Textiles has been exploring castor-based Eri sericulture in new regions to unlock additional livelihood opportunities and strengthen domestic silk production.

India is the world's second-largest silk producer, with sericulture supporting around 9.2 million livelihoods across more than 52,000 villages. The country produces all four major natural silks - Mulberry, Eri, Tasar and Muga - yet continues to import raw silk to meet rising domestic demand from the textile and fashion industries.

To strengthen the sector further, the Central Silk Board is promoting scientific farming practices through its 'Mera Resham Mera Abhimaan' (MRMA) campaign. The initiative encourages sericulturists to adopt improved technologies, sustainable production methods and modern cultivation practices to enhance productivity and silk quality.

By leveraging Gujarat's extensive castor cultivation, the Ministry hopes to create a new growth engine for India's silk industry while generating additional rural employment and expanding the country's sustainable fibre basket. As global demand shifts towards eco-friendly textiles, castor-based Eri silk could emerge as an important addition to India's natural fibre portfolio.

To strengthen the sector further, the Central Silk Board is promoting scientific farming practices through its 'Mera Resham Mera Abhimaan' (MRMA) campaign. The initiative encourages sericulturists to adopt improved technologies, sustainable production methods and modern cultivation practices to enhance productivity and silk quality. By leveraging Gujarat's extensive castor cultivation, the Ministry hopes to create a new growth engine for India's silk industry while generating additional rural employment and expanding the country's sustainable fibre basket. As global demand shifts towards eco-friendly textiles, castor-based Eri silk could emerge as an important addition to India's natural fibre portfolio.