IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE IN PROSPECTS OF ERI SILKWORM SEED PRODUCTION IN ASSAM- A REVIEW

Abstract

Eri silkworm rearing is legacy and age-old tradition, besides a source of livelihood for farmers in the North Eastern India. The eri silkworm Samia ricini (Donovan) is a multivoltine, domesticated insect that can be reared indoors on diverse host plants. Recently, government sponsored schemes have boosted expansion of eri silkworm rearing in many non-traditional eri rearing states besides North East India. Assam, being the home tract of Eri silkworm offers optimum climatic conditions for seed cocoon rearing and production of disease free layings. However, the impending climate change due to global warming poses one of the biggest threat to Ericulture. Temperature shifts in the summer and winter season with altered rainfall patterns influences the host plant maintenance and eri silkworm rearing extensively. A wide range of adverse impacts are experienced in eri silkworm seed production sector due to increasing temperature, heat stress and other changes in weather parameters. The present review paper addresses the issues and prospects of eri silkworm seed production in Assam with respect to the impending climate change and suggests the possibilities to explore avenues to mitigate the global warming effects.