Silkworm rearing by rural women in karnataka: A path to empowerment

Silkworm rearing is an important source of livelihood for rural women in Karnataka, South India. It means financial security, increased socio-economic status, increased control over decision-making and the opportunity to save and spend. The women are self-employed, carry out silkworm rearing in the vicinity of or in their own homesteads with a known peer group, which helps them to balance both household and economic activity. Recognition of rural women as major contributors towards silk production and improvement of service delivery to them is the need of the hour.