Sericulture, Fisheries, Forestry and Allied Enterprises
Sericulture, fisheries, forestry, and allied enterprises diversify farm income. The exam tests silkworm rearing, fish polyculture, and forestry systems.
Sericulture
Mulberry (Morus alba) feeds Bombyx mori, the mulberry silkworm. Life cycle: egg, larva, pupa, adult. Bivoltine races are reared in temperate conditions and give better silk; multivoltine races are hardy and suit tropical conditions. Rearing involves young-age and late-age care, proper temperature and humidity, and clean rearing trays. Cocoons are harvested and reeled. Non-mulberry silks include eri, tasar, and muga.
Fisheries and forestry
Composite fish culture uses Indian major carps: catla feeds near the surface, rohu in the column, and mrigal at the bottom. Stocking density and species ratio determine yield. Forestry systems include social forestry, farm forestry, agroforestry, and joint forest management. Casuarina suits coastal sandy soils; teak and bamboo are valuable species.
Worked example
A 0.1 ha pond is stocked at 5,000 fingerlings/ha with catla:rohu:mrigal = 3:4:3. Total stock = 5,000 × 0.1 = 500. Total parts = 10. Catla = 500 × 3/10 = 150; rohu = 500 × 4/10 = 200; mrigal = 500 × 3/10 = 150. The ratio matches feeding zones and reduces competition.
Traps that cost marks
Silk is not obtained from all moths in the same way. Catla is not a bottom feeder. Social forestry is not the same as agroforestry. Casuarina is not a shade-loving forest tree. Stocking density is per hectare, not per pond.