Promoting Agripreneurship through Cluster Development in Mizoram: An Analysis of Economics of Sericulture in Saitual Cluster

By : Lalzuitluangi, Rama Ramswamy

Page No: 400-409

Abstract
Sericulture is an agro-based activity which offers various avenues for employment generation in India. Sericulture is a highly profitable activity and its profitability depends on the production of quality mulberry leaves and its conversion into quality cocoons at economic costs. Over the years, sericulture is playing a vital role in development of the rural economy of Mizoram, in terms of employment opportunities. This paper is based on the mapping of Saitual cluster located about 77 kilometres from Aizawl, the capital city of Mizoram. The primary data was collected through a structured questionnaire, administered to all the agripreneurs (180) engaged in sericulture in Saitual cluster from December 2016 to February 2017. This paper attempts to assess the financial performance of the agrienterprises in Saitual and the impact of subsidies on the returns to the sericulturists in the cluster. Sericulture has emerged as a sustainable livelihood option in Saitual cluster, giving remarkable returns to the agripreneurs in the cluster. The cluster development initiative of the Government of Mizoram has provided an impetus to the business by means of subsidy in terms of providing rearing infrastructure, and construction of rearing house and New Land Use Policy (NLUP). Saitual has emerged as a role model of organic silk farming for other clusters in the region to emulate.

Authors :
Lalzuitluangi : Assistant Professor, St. Xavier’s College, Aizawl, Mizoram
Rama Ramswamy : Assistant Professor, Department of Commerce, Mizoram University, Aizawl, Mizoram
 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.32381/PROD.2020.60.04.5