Pulwama Feb 17 (KNS): Mr. Ajaz Ahamd Bhat (IAS), Director Sericulture J&K, today kick started 05 days Skill Development Training Programme in Town Hall District Pulwama under Capacity Building Activities for Silkworm Rearers/ Farmers under HADP 2023-24. The Director while addressing a huge gathering, underscored the need for skill up-gradation of Silkworm Rearers to undertake silkworm rearing on scientific lines. He also added in his address that among other initiatives of the department emphasis are being laid to organize regular capacity building programmes for Silkworm Rearers and youth across J&K. The department is also aiming to further strengthen the capacity building activities to organize exposure visits for Silkworm Rearers and youth in collaboration with Central Silk Board to different states of India to sensitize them about the latest Sericulture techniques being practiced by the Silkworm Rearers outside J&K. On the occasion the Director Sericulture J&K felicitated Silkworm rearers with tool kits as well.
The Director Sericulture J&K while speaking on the occasion emphasized that people in general and the unemployed youth in particular need to be made aware vis-a-vis the potential of Sericulture Sector and various schemes of the department to increase their income generation capacity. During his address he directed the officers that utmost priority must be given for wide publicity and awareness about the facilities/incentives being provided by the department to the Silkworm Rearers and to those who intend to adopt Silkworm rearing as a means to earn dignified livelihood. 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. On the occasion, the Director informed that the department provides plethora of facilities including financial assistance for construction of rearing sheds to Silkworm rearers in a phased manner. The Director while addressing Silkworm Rearers stressed that they should also exert their full potential and double efforts to achieve bumper crop in ensuing rearing season.
He stressed upon the Officers and field functionaries of the department to extend their full cooperation to the Silkworm Rearing community and share their expertise to prevent any prevalence of disease during ensuing silkworm rearing. Moreover, the department of Sericulture is devising a robust disease prevention mechanism by framing Technical Committees/ Teams in South, Central and North areas for prompt response to control and contain prevalence of various diseases of silkworms in order to bolster quality cocoon production and save the silkworm rearers from crop loss.
The Director Sericulture J&K also emphasized that the department also aims to undertake extensive mulberry plantation across J&K and in this regard various institutes and vacant retrieved land will be covered under the plantation programme so that the abundant leaf reserve will be provided to the Silkworm Rearers in coming rearing seasons.
Speaking on the occasion Dr. N.K. Bhatia, Director Central Sericulture Research & Training Institute, CSB, Pampore also shared his valuable inputs and assured that his organization will extend full cooperation in capacity building and Skill development up-gradation of the farmers, Silkworm Rearers and the youth.
Dr. M.F. Baqal, Prof. & Dean TSRI-SKUAST-K, Mirgund also shared his view point and informed that the SKUAST will also extend every assistance and support for organizing capacity building programme and highlighted the importance of these programmes for Silkworm Rearers. He further added in his address that by participating in such capacity building programmes the silkworm Rearers can adopt the latest techniques in silkworm rearing to boost their crop production and increase their income significantly.
The District Sericulture Officer, Pulwama and other Officers of the department were also present on the occasion. (KNS)