Srinagar, Aug 19: Ajaz Ahmad Bhat, IAS, Director Sericulture, J&K, on Monday chaired a comprehensive review meeting at the Directorate of Sericulture Development Department, Tulsi Bagh, Srinagar. The meeting was attended by all officers and in-charges of the department. The Review Meeting was aimed to assess the progress of various key initiatives of the Department.
During the meeting, detailed discussions were held on cocoon production, training of employees, mass awareness among farmers, Silkworm Rearers etc. The detailed deliberations were also held on the expenditure under the Holistic Agriculture Development Program (HADP) and the CAPEX Budget. The discussions emphasized the need for enhanced efforts to achieve the set targets within the stipulated timelines, ensuring the timely completion of developmental projects of the department including the new works and up-gradation of existing infrastructure for the overall growth of the Sericulture Sector in the region.
In a significant move towards capacity building, Mr.Bhat inaugurated a one-year training program for the employees of the Sericulture Department in J&K with the aim to improve the skills and knowledge of the employees in Sericulture practices in order to equip them to effectively contribute towards achieving the targets, objectives and goals of the Department which will go a long way in dissemination of mass awareness at grass root level down to farmers, Silkworm Rearers, youth and Women folk.
The meeting laid a clear roadmap for the upcoming months, with specific action points assigned to the respective officers in order to add renewed vigour and exert concerted efforts to achieve all the targets and ensure nonstop monitoring of department’s initiatives being undertaken for overall the development of Sericulture Industry.
The Director, Sericulture Dev. Department J&K during the meeting exhorted upon the officers to work with great enthusiasm and ensure protection of mulberry wealth so that there shall not arise any paucity of mulberry leaf reserve to the farmers and Silkworm Rearers. He also issued on the spot directions to ensure extensive mulberry plantation in every zone, circle and beat in J&K so as to enhance Mulberry cover in all the geographical locations and areas of J&K. He further stressed that strict action be ensured for the offenders for illegal felling of Mulberry trees to ensure cogent deterrence in order to ensure effective protection of the Mulberry Plants in J&K. He further instructed them to assist the farmers, Silkworm Rearers, youth and Women Folk at all levels and ensure that they shall not be deprived of the required inputs and facilities provided by the department, besides, guiding them about the silkworm rearing from start to end. Moreover, guide them about the application of disinfectants so that they shall have bumper crop and substantial increase in their income.
At the end of the meeting the Director Sericulture expressed his profound grief over the demise of one employee namely Mohammad Subhan Sofi, from District Kupwara and extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. A separate prayer was offered for the departed soul, with the entire department mourning the loss of their esteemed colleague.
