District Collector Shyam Prasad inspected the government sericulture farm at Jammulabanda village in Gudibanda mandal of Sri Sathya Sai district on Saturday.

During his visit, the Collector examined cultivation of food plants raised for wild silkworms and enquired about their maintenance practices. He inspected Terminalia arjuna and Terminalia tomentosa, which serve as food for Tasar silkworms, and Som and Soalu plants used for rearing Muga silkworms.

Officials informed the Collector that food plants were developed under the Swarna Andhra -Swachh Andhra programme by Madakasira division sericulture staff. They demonstrated pre-monsoon dry sowing being adopted between plant rows, where various seeds are sown before monsoon to improve soil fertility, conserve moisture and suppress weeds on farm.

Mr. Shyam Prasad directed officials to prepare and submit comprehensive future action plan, along with phase-wise progress report on Tasar and Muga food plant cultivation and wild silkworm rearing, at the earliest to scale up activities.

Assistant Director of Sericulture (Madakasira) H. Hanumantharaya explained the importance of wild silkworm rearing, its ecological significance, and economic potential for tribal and rural families depending on forest-based livelihoods. He said that Tasar and Muga, being wild varieties, depend on specific host plants, and that sustainable development of host plantations was crucial for expanding Vanya silk production in Rayalaseema region.