J-K Govt Plans to Boost Silk Production by Equipping Farmers with Technology & Training

"Cocoon growers are being provided with the necessary skill development training, cutting-edge technological interventions, and related infrastructural support for transforming the sericulture industry in J&K," an official said, elaborating on the government's initiatives in this regard.

According to the official, the futuristic strategy for holistic growth of agricultural and allied industries will aid in ensuring product quality and quantity while also increasing global demand. He stated that the J&K administration was focusing on expanding the area under mulberry plantings in order to boost leaf availability for rearers and enrich green wealth. The Forest and Sericulture Departments are working together to achieve J&K's Green Mission, as well as providing marketing assistance to cocoon producers in selling their produce in their area.

During a function, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha stated, "Our primary goal is to improve the lives of farmers involved with this dream fabric, while also guaranteeing that the originality, beauty, and ingenuity of J&K's crafts dominate the worldwide market." The future roadmap for holistic growth of agriculture and allied sectors will protect the age-old skills that are passed down from generation to generation. The project aims to aid in the preservation and promotion of J&K's distinctive and indigenous craft tradition around the world.

The government is emphasizing the use of cutting-edge technological developments in the silk sector in order to lessen reliance on imported silk. Pampore in Kashmir has become one of the country's three most important sites for R&D, training, technology transfer, and IT intervention. Kissan Ghosti/Scientific engagement was recently organized by the Department of Sericulture, Rajouri, Mulberry Circle Lamberi as part of the ATMA programme. The program's major goal was to educate silkworm rearers on the most recent technology and practices for silkworm rearing.

Farmers were informed about the many projects being carried out under the Holistic Agricultural Development Project. Kundan Lal, a forward-thinking farmer from Lamberi Rajouri, has earned Rs 91666.50 in 20 to 25 days by selling 87.6kg dry produce. Tilak Raj of Rajouri's Lamberi Village earned Rs 132356 in 20 to 25 days by selling 131.350 kg of silk.

To meet the research, training, and extension needs of Jammu and Kashmir, the Central Silk Board (CSB) established the Central Sericulture Research and Training Institute (CSR & TI) at Pampore, Srinagar, in 1994, to resurrect former CSB efforts in J&K. In addition to human resource development, the institute is actively involved in research and development through its network of two Regional Sericulture Research Stations (RSRS) and eight Research Extension Centers.

CSR and TI Pampore produced High Yielding Silkworm hybrids and improved mulberry types to increase farmers' income through Sericulture. The Central Silk Board is pushing a bivoltine production programme by providing technical support through six clusters (two of which are mega clusters) and by expanding state-of-the-art soil testing facilities. The average yield of bivoltine cocoons has increased dramatically as a result of the Institute's ongoing efforts and technological interventions.

Importantly, the Silk Samagra Yojana, started under the PM's direction in 2017-18, has proven to be a game changer in making sericulture viable by supporting both the country's and J&K's silk industries in an integrated manner. Around 900 silkworm rearers have profited directly through Silk Samagra Phase-I, in addition to the development of approximately 618 rearing houses. Furthermore, the Central Silk Board has awarded Rs 35 crore to J&K under Silk Samagra Phase-II, which will help around 27,000 households active in sericulture in the UT.