Bhopal, Apr 5: The state government has sent a proposal to start cocoon rearing scheme at a cost of Rs seven crore 23 lakh in three districts. Implementation of this scheme would provide employment to about two thousand people.

The five-year scheme has been prepared by the Sericulture Department under Swarna Jayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana which would cover Balaghat, Mandla and Dindori districts.

With the implementation of this scheme, 14.39 metric tonnes of reeled yarn and 6.07 tonnes of spun yarn would be produced. Besides, the scheme would provide jobs to about two thousand persons in the three districts.

Under another scheme of the Sericulture Department, fresh plantation of tusser saplings is being undertaken in 15 thousand hectare Area by Tusser Sericulture Development and Extension Programme with the coordination of Forest Department and co-participation of districts.

Similarly, Tusser Worm Rearing Programme is being undertaken through Joint Forest Management Committees of the Forest Department in the jungles where tusser edible trees grow naturally. This programme is expected to produce two crore natural cocoons and 837 lakh reared cocoons.