Director Sericulture J&K, Ajaz Ahmad Bhat Monday reviewed the functioning of the department in Kashmir Division in a meeting convened at Directorate of Sericulture Dev. Department J&K Tulsibagh, Srinagar. Taking the review, the Director emphasized the importance of utilizing the assets of the department to the maximum keeping in view its mandate to increase the area under Mulberry plantation as well as Seed production at the departmental level and assisting the farmers in Silkworm rearing for achieving quality Cocoon production.
Bhat highlighted the goal of doubling the cocoon production and income of the Silkworm rearers and farmers in J&K. He was of the view that Sericulture being a cash crop Industry can significantly contribute in changing the economic conditions of the poor sections of the rural society as minimum inputs are required to start this activity which require an active support of the Department.
The Director asked for working on new strategies and interventions in the critical areas for creating visible impact on the ground. He called for area expansion in Sericulture by covering tribal/ border belts and other potential areas in cluster mode with the help of holding awareness camps.
At the same time latest technologies developed by research Institutes need to be taken at farmers' level and skill of the Cocoon producers needs to be upgraded with training and exposure visits, he added. He also exhorted officers present in the meeting to exert more efforts for protection of Mulberry Wealth and asked for taking Mulberry Plantation all around the National Highways and other areas.
In the meeting, the District officers briefed the Director about the various annual developmental activities of the department both under Capex and CSS (SILK SAMAGRA) and HADP with achievements made so far in their respective districts.
The Director desired for achieving the set targets in respect of all schemes within the shortest possible time.The meeting was attended by Development officer ISDP Sonawari, Project Executive Officer, Kashmir and District Sericulture Officers and Zonal Officers of Kashmir Division.