Minister in charge of Chamarajanagar district K. Venkatesh visiting the sericulture development centre at B.R. Hills in the district on Wednesday. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT Minister for Animal Husbandry and Sericulture K. Venkatesh has said that Chamarajanagar district was once famous for sericulture and that farmers’ interest in silk cultivation has declined over a period of time following improvements in irrigation projects. Also, there has been a decline in silk production even in countries like China and Japan, he added. Mr. Venkatesh, who is also the Minister in charge of Chamarajanagar district, was speaking to reporters during his visit to the sericulture development centre at B.R. Hills on Wednesday. The Minister said silk farming has picked up in North Karnataka as farmers there are showing more interest. Steps will be taken to encourage sericulture farmers in Chamarajanagar and help increase production, he said. He said it is especially important to encourage reelers and that farmers need to be motivated to take up silk farming. Accordingly, officials have been instructed to prepare a detailed report on sericulture development in the district, he said. The Minister said a sum of ₹15 crore has been released to encourage sericulture farmers and increase production in …