Community-Centred Sericulture Innovation for Strengthening Rural Development and Home-Based Self-Employment

Abstract Sericulture has emerged as a highly productive and employment-intensive rural activity capable of transforming the socio-economic landscape of agrarian communities. The proposed research examines how innovative, locally adaptable sericulture models can serve as a catalyst for sustainable rural development while generating inclusive livelihoods. This study focuses on creating a community-driven framework that integrates mulberry cultivation, silkworm rearing, post-cocoon processing, and value-added silk-based enterprises within rural households and Self-Help Groups (SHGs). The research also aims to analyse how home-based sericulture practices can enhance income stability, empower women and marginalized groups, and reduce seasonal migration by providing year-round employment. It further explores innovations such as low-cost rearing technologies, eco-friendly disease management, and the utilization of sericulture by-products (pupae, stem waste, reeling waste) to promote zero-waste entrepreneurship. Community participation, cooperative marketing, capacity building, and digital platforms for product sale will be examined to understand their role in strengthening the overall value chain. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study will collect data through field surveys, focus group discussions, interviews with sericulturists, and case studies of successful community-led models. Economic analysis will be conducted to assess profitability, cost-benefit ratios, and livelihood impacts. Special emphasis will be placed on identifying constraints faced by rural families and designing community-centric solutions that are scalable, sustainable, and gender-inclusive. The expected outcomes of the study include the formulation of a replicable community-centred sericulture innovation model capable of enhancing rural employment, improving household income, fostering entrepreneurship, and contributing to long-term rural development. Ultimately, the research highlights sericulture not merely as an agricultural activity, but as a transformative rural enterprise that can significantly strengthen local economies and promote socio-economic resilience.