Commissioner Secretary, Agriculture Production Department, Mr. Mohammad Ashraf Bukhari Friday asked the Central Silk Board to formulate comprehensive projects in Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode for the development of sericulture sector in Jammu and Kashmir.Chairing State Level Sericulture Coordination Committee meeting here today, Mr Bukhari called for promoting quality mulberry leaf and cocoon production with special focus on value addition. He hoped that Central Silk Board will provide liberal funding to boost sericulture activities in the State.The meeting was attended by senior officers of the State government, Central Silk Board, Silk experts, Silk Realer, Cocoon Growers and other entrepreneurs associated with the silk sector.This high level meeting is held twice in a year to access progress and promotion of silk industry in the State and also to suggest policies and strategies for promotion and development of silk industry in the State.
All issues regarding sub sectors like mulberry propagation and leaf production, silk-cum-seed production, cocoon production and utilisation of cocoon produce within the State which includes Silk Reeling, Wearing and Fabric Production.Many critical issues concerning cocoon production and productivity were discussed and strategies formulated to make Jammu and Kashmir a leading silk producing State in the country.With the strong technical and financial support from Central Silk Board, Union Ministry of Textiles and sustained efforts of Sericulture Development Department, silk sector is becoming attractive and profitable for the people of the State. In addition strategies to outsource major activities of the department like mulberry sapling production, silk cocoon, silk production etc were discussed in the meeting.
Director Sericulture, Dr Malik Farooq briefed the meeting about the activities achieved under sericulture sector. He said Automatic Reeling Machine is being installed in the state to boost raw silk production. He also informed about the important initiatives like 100 percent distribution of Chakwi reared worms-quality silk worm seed etc to improve quality and productivity.Later, the Commissioner Secretary planted a sapling on the premises of the Sericulture department.Director Central Silk Board Pampore, Dr S C Sharma, Joint Director Regional Sericulture Research Centre, Dr Anil Dhar, Deputy Secretary, Central Silk Board, Bangalore, Mr R C Dass, Director Planning Agriculture Production department and other senior officers of the concerned departments were present.