SRINAGAR, OCTOBER 20: Minister for Agriculture, Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura, Thursday said that the Government is keen to develop the once famed silk industry of Kashmir on modern lines and would provide best possible market facilities for cocoon rearers.
He stated this at an interaction with farmers and Reeling Unit Holders, after inspecting Cocoon Auction Market at Tulsibagh, Srinagar.
The Minister said that special focus is being given to support silk industry in the State and develop it on modern lines. He said in this regard various initiatives have been taken especially in silkworm seed production and post cocoon sector for the promotion of sericulture industry.
He said it is heartening that this year Cocoon Rearers got better reward of their hard work during auction of cocoon than of last year in the bidding process. He said despite prevailing situation in the valley the Government made it possible to organize Cocoon Auction Market here in which a good number of farmers, Reeling Unit holders and outside rearers participated. He thanked the farmers and other unit holders for their cooperation and assured them that every possible help will be provided to them for promotion of sericulture activities.
Mr. Hanjura said State has huge potential for cocoon production and more people can take up sericulture as an economic activity with comparatively little expenditure. He said that there is need to establish more silk reeling units in the State so that cocoon production is utilized locally for value addition and employment generation.
He also underscored the need to generate more awareness among the farming community about the latest techniques of the field and Government’s welfare schemes for increasing cocoon production.
Earlier, the Minister convened a meeting with the officers of Sericulture Development Department to review the progress of various schemes including Centrally Sponsored and State Sector schemes.
He stressed on massive plantation of mulberry trees in the State. He also asked the Department to take up the matter with the Irrigation and Flood Control Department for planting mulberry saplings on available land on the banks of river Jhelum.
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