Impact of Family Labour Participation and Hired Labour for Different Activities of Sericulture Industry: A Critical Analysis

Abstract

Sericulture is considered as a labour intensive cottage industry and needs appropriate care at different stages. Mulberry cultivation and silkworm rearing are two major arms of this industry. Since sericulture setup is a marginal industry, it needs the coordination and right utilization of family labour along with hired labour. The present study after a critical analysis demonstrates that, for establishing mulberry garden or different activities of mulberry cultivation, the ratio of family labour and hired labours were 2.16:1 and 2.18:1 respectively. On the other hand in case of silkworm rearing during establishment year ratio of family labour and hired labour was 3.53:1. Considering the family participation, there is a significant economic benefit. On an average during one establishment year working on one hectare of mulberry garden starting from mulberry cultivation to silkworm rearing around Rs.227000 could be saved by the participation of family labour. Similarly, in case of one hectare of mulberry garden starting from mulberry cultivation to silkworm rearing from second year onwards, in each year for the different activities of mulberry cultivation ratio of family labour and hired labour were 2.49:1 and in case of Silkworm rearing ratio of family & hired labour was 3.76:1. It was found that, participation of family labour has greatly helped in saving significant amount and has led to maximum participation of the women’s in sericulture industry.