Underscoring the need for forming Self Help Groups (SHG) at district levels for giving momentum to sericulture activities, Minister for Agriculture, Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura said that this will help in promoting Sericulture sector in the State.The Minister said while addressing a State Level meeting convened to review the functioning of Sericulture Development Department here today.Highlighting the importance of Sericulture sector, the Minister called for taking appropriate steps for expanding the sericulture activities in the remote areas of the state. He said that the atmosphere of the State is favorable for development of Sericulture sector. He said that people particularly women from rural areas need to be involved in Sericulture activities which would help in sericulture production and ameliorate their economic profile.Directing the concerned for conducting mulberry trees census and submission its report, Mr. Hanjura asked for plantation of mulberry tree on waste state land and river bunds.The Minister said that the field staff of the department should be imparted necessary training and in coordination with Agro Industries possibilities should be explored for manufacturing juice and jam of mulberry fruit.Discussing threadbare on the issue of filling up of vacant posts of different categories in the department, the Minister directed the concerned to take up the matter with the recruiting agencies for early selection of candidates for posts already referred to them.Taking stock of PDL, TDL and casual laborers working in the department, Mr Hanjura directed the concerned to furnish a detailed report in this regard within a week’s time to administrative department for scrutiny.
Taking appraisal of present status of departmental 90 kanals land available at Katra Jammu, the Minister directed the concerned to prepare a comprehensive proposal for establishment of Emporium and submit the same to the concerned quarter for arrangement of funds.The Minister also directed the concerned for formulating proposal for enhancement of cost of seed cocoon from Rs. 250 to Rs. 400 per kg. He also directed for construction of Harvesting Tank at Kanir to extend irrigation facility to mulberry trees.On the occasion, a power point presentation was made to present the activities and steps being taken by the department for the development of the sector. It was informed that there are 173 Departmental Nursery spreading over 1021 hectors produce about 12 lakh mulberry sapling annual. It was informed that under Commercial Silk Warm, 30296 silk warm Rearers, 8 number of Silkwarm Seed Stations are functional in the State. As many as 973 MTs annual cocoon production recorded, the meeting was informed.The meeting was informed that the funds to tune of Rs 1.83 crore were released for various sericulture developmental activities including construction of cold storage Plant at Srinagar, construction of 5 Composite Chawki Rearing Centres and supply of rearing appliances under Centrally Sponsored Schemes during 2016-2017, . It was informed that an amount of Rs1.63 crore and Rs 1.49 crore have been spent under State Capex Budget during 2016-2017 respectively.Commissioner Secretary, Agriculture Production Department, Sanjeev Verma, Director, Sericulture Development Department, Managing Director, Agro Industries Corporation Limited and other senior officers of the Department attended the meeting.