Sericulture Department embarks on exotic mulberry plantation drive

Srinagar, Mar 27: In a significant move aimed at fostering innovation and diversification in the sericulture sector, the Director Sericulture Jammu and Kashmir, Ajaz Ahmad Bhat, today commenced an exotic fruit-bearing mulberry plantation propagation at the Basic Seed Station Mirgund.

During his visit, Bhat inspected various mulberry nurseries, farms, silkworm seed units, and the office of the Manager Seed, Sericulture Development Department at the Basic Seed Station.

Addressing the gathering, he revealed that for the first time in J&K, 2,500 exotic fruit-bearing mulberry cuttings, including Multicaulis (Indonesia), Okinova (Japan), French Black (France), and KRZ (Kyrgyzstan), have been imported by the department.

Simultaneously, the department has initiated the plantation of improved mulberry varieties across 20 kanals of land in Mirgund Pattan. This initiative aims to facilitate the distribution of these superior mulberry varieties to various districts of Jammu and Kashmir, benefiting silkworm rearers and farmers in adjacent areas.

Moreover, the department plans to propagate more than 1 lakh mulberry plants at the Mirgund Farm during the next year, 2024-25, marking a pivotal step towards fostering innovation and diversification within the sector.

Emphasising the importance of dedication and hard work, the Director Sericulture J&K urged officers of the J&K Sericulture Development Department to work with zeal and zest to achieve all developmental targets.