SKUAST-K College of Temperate Sericulture organizes training program on Empowering Youth Through Sericulture

Srinagar, Nov 18: The College of Temperate Sericulture, Mirgund, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K), organised one day training Programme on “Empowering Youth Through Sericulture.” in collaboration with Government Degree College (GDC) Womens Anantnag.
The event was sponsored by the Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises, Government of India, and aimed to enlighten students by showcasing the economic potential and entrepreneurial opportunities in sericulture-a business venture requiring minimal start-up investment yet offering lucrative returns. The programme drew a large and enthusiastic crowd of students, all eager to absorb insights from distinguished experts and explore the promising world of sericulture.
Prof. Masood Ahmad Malik, Principal of GDC Women’s Anantnag, extended a warm welcome to the guest speakers and took the lead in guiding the program’s proceedings. In his opening address, he highlighted the importance of diverse skills that youth can acquire through sericulture, ranging from technical knowledge in silkworm care to business management in silk product marketing. These skills equip young people to start their own businesses or contribute to established ventures. He stressed that sericulture holds great potential to generate stable income and make a substantial contribution to the agrarian economy of Kashmir.
The program included presentations by four esteemed resource persons-Prof. Khursheed Ahmad Sahaf, Dr. Shabir Ahmad Bhat, Dr. Firdose Ahmad Malik, and Dr. Mohd Younus Wani-each providing valuable insights into various facets of sericulture as a business and offers a stable income stream, especially for youth in rural areas, where traditional employment options may be limited. Through silkworm rearing and the production of silk-based products, young entrepreneurs can tap into both local and global markets. The speakers highlighted the importance of sericulture as an agrarian industry, particularly in Kashmir, where it can become a cornerstone of rural economic growth. Their sessions gave students a comprehensive understanding of the industry and practical guidance on how to establish sericulture-based ventures.
The program concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Dr. Awquib Sabahat, Head of the Department of Sericulture. She expressed her sincere appreciation to the resource persons for their insightful and intellectually enriching presentations and extended her gratitude for their collaboration with GDC Anantnag in making this initiative a success.