LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 825
TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.02.2024
HEALTH HAZARDS FACED BY SERICULTURE FARMERS
825. SHRI S. MUNISWAMY:

Will the Minister of TEXTILES be pleased to state :

(a) the details of the health hazards being faced by the Sericulture farmers;
(b) whether any skin allergy related issues are being brought to the notice of the farmers, if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the release of Carbon Monoxide during the rearing process has been found a cause of allergies, respiratory problems for the silk growing farmers and if so, the details thereof; and
(d) whether the Government has any plan to overcome the health hazards faced by sericulture farmers especially Kolar and Chikkaballapur districts of Karnataka and if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES(SMT. DARSHANA JARDOSH)

(a) to (c): To avoid any specific health hazards, sericulture is being practiced by the farmers in accordance with recommended package of practices / technologies throughout the country. Central Silk Board sensitizes sericulture farmers about techniques/ procedure to be followed/ practiced during disinfection of rearing house, bed disinfection and silkworm rearing to avoid health risks through
various training and awareness programmes. These advance procedures / techniques also avoid releasing / accumulation of Carbon Monoxide gas during rearing process. No such complaint / report related to health hazards including skin allergy, respiratory problems among sericulture farmers have been received so far.
(d): Though, there are no specific health hazards associated / noticed with sericulture farmers including the area of Kolar and Chikkaballapur districts of Karnataka, R & D institutes of Central Silk Board educate farmers about safety measures while performing silkworm rearing and rearing house disinfection to avoid health risks.