Ajaz Ahmad Bhat, the Director of Sericulture for Jammu & Kashmir, recently visited the tribal regions of Kangan in the Ganderbal District as part of a significant Public Outreach Initiative Programme. The visit aimed to highlight the potential benefits and incentives available for local communities through the adoption of silkworm rearing, presenting it as a viable source of income.
During his visit, Director Bhat inaugurated an ambitious mulberry plantation drive, setting a departmental goal to plant 10,000 mulberry saplings in the area. This initiative underscores the department's commitment to bolstering the sericulture sector's infrastructure and providing silkworm rearers with the necessary resources for successful cultivation.
The Director emphasized the suitability of silkworm rearing for a range of individuals, including those without extensive land, due to its minimal space requirements. He detailed the comprehensive support offered by the department, including financial assistance for constructing rearing sheds, which aims to facilitate this practice.
Highlighting the importance of mulberry plants for the sericulture industry, Bhat pointed out that these plants are crucial for maintaining an uninterrupted supply of foliage for silkworm rearing, thereby ensuring the sector's sustainability in J&K.
In addition to the plantation drive, Director Bhat inaugurated a 5-day Skill Development Training Programme at Degree College Kangan, designed to enhance the capacities of silkworm rearers and farmers. This training is part of a broader strategic plan under the Holistic Agriculture Development Plan (HADP) for the year 2023-24, aiming to elevate the sericulture sector across the state.
The department is also organizing exposure visits for silkworm rearers to prominent mulberry farms and facilitating skill upgradation programs for college students in tribal areas. These initiatives are intended to foster entrepreneurship and self-sufficiency among the youth and existing farmers.
The event also saw the participation of Sadaf Nazir, Principal of Degree College Kangan, who expressed her support for the programmes, emphasizing their importance in providing skill upgradation and raising awareness about government schemes.
The Director’s visit, which included interactions with local sericulture officers, Central Silk Board officials, and field functionaries, marked a pivotal step in enhancing the sericulture industry's outreach and support to the communities in Ganderbal, fostering growth and self-reliance among local inhabitants.