Director Sericulture proposes seri-tourism, single-window platform at Central Silk Board Meet
Bengaluru, Sep 23: The 143rd Board Meeting of the Central Silk Board (CSB) was held today under the chairmanship of Padmini Singla, Joint Secretary (Fibre) and Vice Chairperson of the CSB, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India. The meeting was attended by senior officers from Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and several other states. It began with a welcome address by Sivakumar P, Member Secretary of the CSB.
The Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir was represented by Ajaz Ahmad Bhat, Director Sericulture J&K, who actively participated in discussions and highlighted key issues affecting the sector. Speaking at the meeting, Bhat stressed the need for establishing a Single Window platform covering both pre- and post-cocoon sectors, enabling farmers and stakeholders to access services in a streamlined and efficient manner.
He also proposed the introduction of “Seri-tourism” in J&K to raise awareness about the importance and potential of sericulture among the general public as well as visitors from other parts of the country.
Additionally, Bhat emphasised the revival of the Silkworm Seed Station at Mansabal in Ganderbal, which would play a vital role in ensuring the availability of quality silkworm seeds directly to farmers and rearers.
Bhat further discussed a range of challenges and opportunities for the sericulture sector in J&K with the Chairperson and other senior officials, including measures to improve production, quality, and farmer engagement.
Responding to the proposals, Chairperson Padmini Singla assured full support from the Ministry of Textiles for the development of the sericulture sector in Jammu & Kashmir. She lauded the initiatives and vision presented by Bhat and reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to extending assistance to farmers and stakeholders across the region.
The meeting concluded with a collective resolve to enhance silk production, empower farming communities, and explore innovative measures to ensure sustainable growth in India’s sericulture sector.
