A new device aimed at simplifying mulberry cultivation, known as the Mulberry Shoot Harvester-cum-Bundling machine, was recently demonstrated in Hosakote village, located in the Bangarpet taluk of Kolar district, Karnataka. This demonstration took place on October 31 and was a collaborative effort between the Central Sericultural Research and Training Institute (CSRTI) based in Mysuru and SRR Agro Industries from Sircilla, Telangana. The project focuses on advancing mechanization within the field of sericulture.
The machine is currently undergoing tests at the Agricultural Engineering College and Research Institute (AEC&RI), part of the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), which serves as the authorized government agency for such evaluations. TNAU officials, Kavipriya and Vijayakumar, have been assessing the device over a three-day period in the Kolar region.
The demonstration aimed to raise awareness among local sericulture farmers and stakeholders about the benefits of the new technology. Notable attendees included P. Sivakumar, Member Secretary and CEO of the Central Silk Board (CSB), P. Deepa, Director of CSRTI, and scientists like Nazeer Ahmed and R. Mahesh Paramesh, along with Praveen Kumar from SRR Agro Industries.
According to CSRTI, farmers who observed the demonstration expressed their satisfaction with the machine”s capabilities. They highlighted its efficiency in both pruning and harvesting mulberry shoots, emphasizing that it significantly reduces labor intensity and enhances overall productivity in mulberry farming.
