From tender mulberry leaves to shimmering silk sarees — we empower over a lakh farming families across Tamil Nadu with science-backed rearing, fair prices and a sustainable future.
Trusted by farming families in 28 districts of Tamil Nadu
New DFL distribution camps begin across 12 districts • Drip irrigation subsidy applications open till 30 Sep • Free rearing-shed training for new farmers • Cocoon market prices updated daily
Full silkworm rearing cycle
Employment per kg of raw silk
Direct jobs per acre of mulberry
Mulberry, Eri, Tasar & Muga
Healthy, high-yielding mulberry plantations form the foundation of quality silk. Our field officers guide farmers on soil testing, drip irrigation and disease-free saplings to maximise leaf yield per acre.
Disease-free layings (DFLs) are reared under scientifically controlled hygiene and temperature conditions, ensuring robust silkworms and consistently higher cocoon yield per batch.
Grading and sorting by size, colour and quality ensures farmers get fair, transparent prices at regulated cocoon markets — the true foundation of premium silk value.
Traditional craftsmanship meets modern reeling units, transforming raw cocoons into fine, lustrous silk thread — ready for the looms of Kanchipuram and beyond.
Every strand of Tamil Nadu silk carries the skill of thousands of weavers and rearers — a living tradition the Department proudly protects and modernises.
Meet the Department
1979
Est. Directorate
28
Districts Covered
1L+
Farming Families
Sericulture is the age-old craft of rearing silkworms for raw silk production — an agro-based cottage industry blending agriculture with skilled weaving to sustain millions of rural families.
With modern, eco-friendly advancements, Tamil Nadu leads the nation in high-yielding mulberry varieties and automated rearing systems, ensuring consistent quality and premium prices for farmers.
Eco-friendly, low water-intensive farming
Fast returns within a single crop season
Every scheme is designed to reduce risk, improve yield and raise farmer income.
Financial assistance for setting up water-efficient drip irrigation across mulberry plantations.
Reliable supply of certified disease-free layings to boost cocoon quality and yield.
Support for upgrading to automated silk reeling units for higher-grade output.
Free hands-on training for new farmers on rearing, hygiene and disease control.
Direct access to regulated cocoon markets ensuring transparent, fair pricing.
Protection against crop loss so farmers can rear with confidence, every season.
The Directorate of Sericulture was formed as an independent department to foster, support and scale silk farming operations across Tamil Nadu — working side-by-side with farmers at every step.
From distributing superior disease-free layings (DFLs) to subsidising drip irrigation and modern reeling units, our mission is rural empowerment through sustainable silk.
"With the Department's drip irrigation subsidy and DFL support, my one-acre mulberry farm now supports my whole family — and gives work to four of my neighbours."
Ramasamy S.
Mulberry Farmer, Dharmapuri District
Register with your nearest Sericulture office and take the first step towards sustainable silk farming.
Head Office
Directorate of Sericulture, Salem - 636 007, Tamil Nadu
Helpline
1800-425-1050 (Toll Free) · Mon–Sat, 10am–5:45pm
seri.tn@nic.in
