Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: The state government has set a target to promote sericulture on 25,000 hectares of land across Maharashtra, with a maximum of over 40% cultivation proposed in the Marathwada region. Sericulture will receive an official push under the state governments new textile policy (2023-2028) and is expected to provide additional income opportunities to the farming community.Head of the state directorate of sericulture, Goraksh Gadilkar, has announced a month-long Maha-Reshim campaign in all state districts till December 20 to reach out to the target beneficiaries. Latur district sericulture officer S B Varat said the local sericulture offices, the agricultural department and respective zilla parishads will work on the campaign. Sericulture is a weather-resistant business activity that can be undertaken by farmers to boost their income. It is eligible for funding under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) for a group activity. A subsidy of Rs 3.58 lakh is also given for farming up to one acre, Varat said. Authorities said Marathwada has received the maximum number of targets for sericulture promotion in order to help farmers from the drought-prone region become financially sustainable.The Marathwada region has a target of 10,250 hectare cultivation, while Pune has a target of 5,100 hectare. Amravati, Nagpur and Nashik have a target of 3,800 hectare, 3,050 hectare and 2,800 hectare, respectively. Minimum space for raising a silkworm rearing shelter and the availability of mulberry leaves are the prerequisites for sericulture, whose output has high demand in southern parts of India.Osmanabad district collector Sachin Ombase said sericulture is a viable income option for the people of Marathwada, a region prone to the vagaries of monsoon. Sericulture requires a minimal amount of water compared to many other crops. It can fetch at least Rs 2 lakh per acre annual income with relatively less hard work, he said. While district-wise efforts are under way as part of the Maha-Reshim campaign, the State Directorate of Sericulture has appealed to the farming community, as well as other interested individuals, to take benefit from it.We also published the following articles recentlyMarathwada raises pitch for water releasePoliticians, farmers, and water rights activists in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar staged a joint protest against the delay in releasing water from upstream areas to the Jayakwadi dam in Marathwada. The Godavari Marathwada Irrigation Development Corporation (GMIDC) had ordered the release of water, but some sugar mills from Ahmednagar district have filed a petition opposing it. The decision on water release will now be taken according to the instructions of the apex court. Aam Aadmi Party members also staged an agitation in Nashik demanding immediate water release for Jayakwadi dam.Farm fire fighting: Punjab, Haryana fail to meet their action plan targetsThe number of stubble burning incidents in Punjab and Haryana this season has exceeded 36,000 and 2,200, respectively, despite targets set in their state action plans. Punjab had aimed to reduce the total counts to 24,202 with zero cases in six districts, while Haryana aimed for near-elimination of crop residue burning incidents. However, both states have not been able to meet these targets. Experts suggest that more aggressive efforts are needed, such as in-situ and ex-situ management, diversification of crops, and awareness campaigns to eliminate farm fires.Why thieves are increasingly targeting catalytic converters in USCatalytic converter thefts have been on the rise in the United States, driven by a combination of economic, social, and technological factors. The converters contain valuable metals like platinum and rhodium, which have seen a surge in prices. The pandemic has also contributed to the increase in thefts due to financial hardships and reduced law enforcement. Catalytic converters are relatively easy to steal and lack traceability, making them attractive targets. The demand for replacement parts has also increased, creating a lucrative market for stolen converters. Various prevention measures and laws have been implemented to address the issue.

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