Factor and Constraints Involved in Income Generation from Sericulture: A Study in three Districts of West Bengal, India

Sericulture is an important sector for income generation in rural areas. Socio-personal and management factors along with relevant constraints were identified for income generation from sericulture in West Bengal. A total of 127 respondents were taken under the three districts i.e., Murshidabad, Nadia and South 24 Parganas. Total 14 socio-personal and 7 management factors were taken as independent variables and were statistically analyzed to understand their relationship with dependent variable income (y). The statistic used was correlation coefficient (r). Only 7 from socio-personal and 5 from management variables were found positively correlated with income. A total of 14 and 3 constraints were identified against mulberry and cocoon production, respectively. For mulberry production, 7 constraints were pest and disease related in that root rot disease and mealy bug pest (tukra) effected 8.66% and 18.11% with 6th and 1st rank respectively. For cocoon production 2 constraints were solely disease related in that grasserie infection and muscardine infection effected 62.20% and 29.92% with 1st and 2nd rank respectively. In socio-personal and management categories, a total of 4 major constraints were identified against income generation. However, based on the findings, it is to be mentioned that for any future income generation policy in sericulture care should be taken on identified factors and constraints based on their importance identified in this study.