Question

What is Grainage?

• A. Where disease-free and quality silkworm eggs are produced
• B. Where disease-free and quality silkworm cocoon seeds are produced
• C. Where disease-free and quality silkworm rearing conducted
• D. Where disease-free and quality silk produced

Hint:

Think of "grain" in "grainage" as referring to the silkworm eggs, which resemble tiny grains of seed. Therefore, a grainage is a facility that produces these "seed grains" (eggs) for farmers.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
In commercial sericulture, obtaining healthy, disease-free eggs (called disease-free layings or dfls) is essential.
If the eggs are contaminated with pathogens, such as the microsporidian that causes Pebrine, the entire crop can fail.
To ensure a steady supply of healthy eggs, specialized facilities are established to handle the breeding and egg production processes.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
A grainage (or seed production center) is a specialized facility dedicated to producing high-quality, disease-free silkworm eggs (layings) for commercial rearing.
The primary activities conducted in a grainage include:
- Conserving and maintaining parental silkworm races.
- Procuring seed cocoons from registered seed rearers.
- Synchronizing the emergence of male and female moths.
- Facilitating systematic mating to produce robust hybrid seeds (such as cross-breeds or bivoltine hybrids).
- Testing mother moths for diseases, especially Pebrine, using microscopic examinations of their abdominal fluids.
If a mother moth tests positive for the pathogen, her eggs are immediately destroyed to prevent vertical transmission of the disease.
Only certified, disease-free layings (dfls) are packaged and distributed to commercial farmers for rearing.
Thus, a grainage is defined as the place where disease-free and quality silkworm eggs are produced, rather than where general rearing is conducted or where raw silk is reeled.

Step 3: Final Answer:
A grainage is a facility dedicated to producing healthy, quality silkworm eggs.
Thus, the correct choice is (1).