Director Sericulture J&K, Ajaz Ahmad Bhat today inaugurated Farmers awareness programme and 05 Days Practical Training Programme under Extension and Trainings in District Shopian. Addressing the gathering, Director Sericulture highlighted the need for regular skill up-gradation of rearers to leverage the latest technologies at grass roots level.
He said that concerted efforts are being made to give impetus to the sericulture sector by way of skill up-gradation as part of the capacity building programme for Silkworm Rearers. Director emphasized that the unemployed youth in particular and the people in general need to be sensitized vis-a-vis the potential of the Sericulture Sector in J&K for earning dignified income in a short period and awareness must be disseminated in this regard extensively across J&K.
Since, the Silkworm Rearing being in-house practice and does not require large space, it can prove advantageous not only for the general farmers but for the landless Farmers as well in deriving substantial income from Sericulture practices as the department also provides financial assistance for construction of rearing sheds, he added.
While kick-starting the mulberry plantation drive at Sofanaman, Shopian, Bhat stressed that the success of the sericulture industry is closely tied to the health and vitality of our Mulberry Plants. Besides, he also advised the field functionaries of the department that the necessary groundwork must be laid for a robust ensuing silkworm rearing season.
By training our Silkworm Rearers and focusing on disease prevention, he reposed confidence that the overall quality and cocoon production in the J&K will improve significantly.The Director Sericulture assured the Silkworm Rearers of full technical support, disinfectant for disease prevention measures, rearing kits and availability of abundant mulberry foliage in the form of leaf bank.
On the occasion the Director Sericulture J&K expressed gratitude to the District Administration Shopian for providing land in Shopian to the Sericulture Department which will be developed as Mulberry Chawki Garden/ Farm and will also be utilized for the construction of District Sericulture Office, Shopian.