The price-crash has forced several sericulture farmers to sell their properties and commit suicide in Channapatna and Ramanagaram taluks, according to cocoon suppliers.
Lakshmamma (50) and her son Ganesh (25), were hit hard by the steep fall in silk cocoon procurement prices. They allegedly committed suicide by jumping into the Singarajapura lake in Channapatna taluk on May 5.
In anticipation of getting a good price, they had taken cocoon to the government cocoon market at Channapatna on May 4.
However, the price crashed by at least 40 per cent on that day. The victims had borrowed a huge sum from their friends and relatives, Channapatna subdivision police said.
