Srinagar, July 24: Ajaz Ahmad Bhat, IAS, Director Sericulture J&K, on Wednesday flagged off a group of 250 Silkworm Rearers/ Farmers from the Directorate of Sericulture Dev. Department, Tulsi Bagh Srinagar. The group is set to embark on an exposure tour to various key sericulture sites, including the Temperate Sericulture Research Institute (TSRI), SKUAST in Mirgund, Basic Seed Stations in Mirgund, BMST, Silk Reeling Units in Khanmoh, CSR&TI, CSB, MoTGoI in Pampore, and Anantnag. This tour aims to provide practical insights and firsthand experience in contemporary sericulture techniques and practices.
The participants of this tour have previously attended 5-day and 3-day Skill Development Programmes in Sericulture under the Holistic Agriculture Development Program (HADP) and Silkworm SAMAGRA-2, respectively. Addressing the gathering, the Director Sericulture emphasized the significance of such exposure visits for the Silkworm Rearing Community, including Farmers, Youth, and Women folk. He highlighted the importance of acquiring comprehensive practical knowledge on contemporary techniques, upkeep, maintenance, and hygiene of sericulture produce in a systematic and scientific manner.
Mr. Bhat reiterated the department’s commitment to strengthen capacity building, skill development, mass awareness about various schemes and facilities being provided by the department through various programmes. He emphasized the necessity to organize more exposure tours to extensively involve a broader segment of the population, particularly focusing on farmers, youth, and women across J&K.
In his address, the Director, Sericulture Dev. Department J&K also revealed that the department has submitted a proposal to the government for the establishment of Silkworm Rearing Community Halls for the landless and marginal farmers to facilitate silkworm rearing under close supervision of the department’s field functionaries.
During his interaction with the participants, he assured them that their grievances would be addressed on priority and advised them to contact the nearest departmental office for any queries or issues they might face while availing the facilities of the department.
The Additional Director, Sericulture Dev. Deptt., Kashmir, Development Officer, Extension & Trainings J&K, Project Executive Officer, Srinagar, Mamager Seed, Srinagar/ Mirgund, District Sericulture Officer, Baramulla/ Kupwara/ Srinagar/ Budgam and other Officers of the department were also present on the occasion.
