Silk production needs upskilling: Dir Sericulture

Pulwama, Feb 17: Director Sericulture J&K, Ajaz Ahmad Bhat today kick-started a 5-day Skill Development Training programme at Town Hall here under Capacity Building Activities for Silkworm Rearers, Farmers under HADP 2023-24.

Addressing a huge gathering, the Director underscored the need for skill up-gradation of Silkworm Rearers to undertake silkworm rearing on scientific lines. He also added that among other initiatives of the department, emphasis is being laid on organising 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 sensitise them about the latest Sericulture techniques being practised by the Silkworm Rearers outside J&K.

On the occasion, the Director Sericulture felicitated Silkworm rearers with tool kits.

He emphasised that people in general and the unemployed youth in particular need to be made aware of the potential of the Sericulture sector and various schemes of the department to increase their income generation capacity.

Director Sericulture directed the officers that utmost priority must be given to 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 a dignified livelihood.

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 the prevalence of various diseases of silkworms in order to bolster quality cocoon production and save the silkworm rearers from crop loss.