Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura visits Sericulture Station Mirgund

Calls for promoting high yielding varieties of Mulberry

5 Dariya News (Rouf Pampori)

Srinagar 07-Jun-2015

Minister for Agriculture, Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura today visited Basic Sericulture Worm Seed Station, Mulberry Nursery and Farm at Mirgund.During his visit, the Minister took stock of various activities being carried out by the Sericulture Development Department there.While inspecting the nursery, the Minister was told that with the introduction of new propagation techniques and with the facility of poly-green houses raised under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), quality mulberry saplings of high yielding varieties get ready within two years with 70% survival rate. Earlier, production of quality mulberry saplings used to take four years.

The Minister also inspected feed production units where high quality silk worm feed (double hybrid) is prepared and later supplied to cocoon growers for production of commercial cocoon.The Minister stressed upon the officers to enhance the production of saplings of high yielding mulberry varieties for distribution among cocoon growers so that they are able to increase their mulberry leaf reservoir for weaving silk worms.Interacting with the management of the department, the Minister said that Kashmir valley has very congenial climate for production of quality silk worm seed and impressed that the department should enhance seed production capabilities so that JK’s requirement is met out within the State.Earlier, the Minister distributed cheques worth Rs 3 lakh among 15 beneficiaries as financial assistance for construction of rearing Houses.Later, the Minister also visited Temperate Sericulture Research Institute (TSRI) of SKUAST and interacted with the scientists regarding availability of latest technology for cocoon production in the valley.Prof and Head TSRI, Dr. M. A. Malik briefed the Minister about the activities of the institute.Director Sericulture Development, Dr. Malik Farooq and other officers accompanied the Minister during his visit.