Anantnag, July 18: Director Sericulture J&K, Ajaz Ahmad Bhat on Thursday said the sector has the potential to increase income generation, particularly for unemployed youth and landless farmers.
“Silkworm rearing can be practised indoors and does not require large spaces,” Bhat said after inaugurating a three-day Skill Development Programme at Sarnal, Anantnag, under Capacity Building Activities for Silkworm Rearers/Farmers as part of Silk SAMAGRA-II.
During the event, Bhat honoured Rajive Gupta, District Sericulture Officer, Udhampur, and Ruby Jan, Sericulture Assistant, along with their teams, with mementoes and certificates for their “dedication” to boosting cocoon production and quality silkworm seed production.
In his address, the Director Sericulture highlighted the necessity of skill upgradation for silkworm rearers to ensure they adopt scientific rearing techniques. “The department is committed to organising regular capacity-building programmes for silkworm rearers and youth across J&K,” he said.
He said the initiative aims to increase awareness about the latest sericulture techniques practised outside J&K through mass awareness programmes, exposure visits, and other capacity-building activities under the guidance of the Principal Secretary to Government, Agriculture Production Department, Shailendra Kumar.
As part of the outreach initiative under HADP, Bhat distributed silkworm-rearing kits, farm tools, and implements to silkworm rearers, encouraging more farmers to participate in sericulture.
Ajaz directed officers to prioritise publicising the facilities and incentives provided by the department to silkworm rearers and those interested in adopting silkworm rearing as a livelihood. He said the department offers various facilities, including financial assistance for constructing rearing sheds.
Encouraging the department’s officers and field functionaries to work diligently, Director Bhat urged them to support silkworm rearers and farmers with technical expertise and systematic application of disinfectants for disease-free rearing. He called on silkworm rearers to maximize their efforts to ensure quality and achieve a bumper crop during the rearing season.
In concluding his address, Director Sericulture expressed gratitude to P. Sivakumar (IFS), Member Secretary Central Silk Board Bangalore, for his support to the Sericulture Development Department J&K in its mission to transform the socio-economic landscape of J&K and promote inclusive development.
The event was also attended by the Additional Director, Sericulture Development Department, Kashmir, District Sericulture Officers of Anantnag and Kulgam, and other departmental officers.
