Karimnagar Sept. 18: Notwithstanding the claims of the government on promotion of traditional occupations like sericulture, the agro-based cottage industry is facing a crisis due to lack of patronage in the district. The sericulture activity, which hitherto flourished in several parts of the district, is gradually diminishing. The underutilisation of the infrastructure facilities created as part of the National Sericulture Project in the district, lack of minimum support price for the mulberry cocoons and the inclination of the farmers to opt for commercial crops is taking a heavy toll on the agro-based cottage industry. More than 2,000 acres was under mulberry cultivation in the district about one-and-a-half decade ago. However, drought reduced the mulberry cultivation in the district mainly in the last decade. At present, the mulberry is cultivated in about 275 acres in 16 mandals. Mulberry cultivation is taken up in only 46 acres as against the target of 125 acres this year so far. Similarly, the production target of the crossbreed disease free layings has been reduced to 1.50 lakh from the original 3.75 lakhs due to poor response from the farmers, sources said. However, the farmers mainly the tribals of Mahadevpur area are trying to keep the traditional occupation alive by cultivating Tassar silk cocoons against all odds. The farmers produced 3.67 lakh Tassar cocoons in the forest area in Mahadevpur mandal so far this year. Assistant director of sericulture Dattatreya Rao said an incentive to the tune of Rs 40 per kg is being offered on Bivoltine variety of cocoons and Rs 20 per kg to CBDFLs variety as part of efforts to promote sericulture.