Sericulture is an important agro-based, labour intensive and export oriented cottage industry. It holds promise as an employment generating industry, especially in rural and semi-urban areas.

India enjoys the unique distinction of being the only country in the world to produce all four varieties of silk viz. mulberry, tasar, eri and muga. Muga is produced only in India.

India ranks second in the world, after China in silk production especially mulberry silk. Madhya Pradesh ranks 3rd in non-traditional states of India.

Sericulture sector is next to Handloom sector in generating employment.

Silk is an export oriented product and is exported to more than 50 countries like USA, U.K., Italy, UAE and Saudi Arabia. Some European and Asian countries are main buyers of Indian silk. Exports for 2004-05 touched an all time record  of Rs.2879.56 crore.

With a broad agriculture base, sericulture is seen as an effective tool for rural development and reconstruction.

Labour intensive in nature, sericulture is mainly a cottage industry in India, providing livelihood to more than 8 lakh families. Approximately around 6 million people are engaged in sericulture and silk production.