Bandipora, April 8 (KNS): In a significant stride towards promoting sustainable livelihood avenues in the remote and tribal regions of Jammu & Kashmir and for expansion of Sericulture footprint in these areas, Director Sericulture J&K, today flagged off the first consignment of mulberry plants to the far-flung tribal and border areas of Gurez and Tulail in District Bandipora. This initiative marks a landmark development under the department's ongoing expansion programme aimed at augmenting sericulture activities in remotest areas of the Union Territory.
The consignments of these mulberry plants in the said remote area is a part of the Sericulture Development Department's broader vision to empower stakeholders in tribal and border belts by actively engaging them in sericulture-based sustainable livelihoods. This targeted effort seeks to improve the socio-economic conditions of poor, landless, and interested youth by facilitating access to resources that enable them to adopt sericulture as a viable and profitable occupation. The silkworm rearers/farmers are being provided incentives for Mulberry Plantation enabling them to lookafter the plantation conveniently.
While speaking on the occasion, Director emphasized the department’s commitment to reaching every corner of Jammu & Kashmir, particularly those areas that have remained untapped due to their geographical remoteness. He stated that the consistent supply of mulberry saplings and plants to such locations will significantly boost the availability of quality mulberry foliage,crucial for silkworm rearing and cocoon production.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelThis initiative will also serve to promote backward and forward linkages in the sericulture value chain.
In addition to flagging off the consignment, Director also conducted an inspection of the Silkworm Seed Station and Mulberry Nursery at S.D. Pora in District Bandipora. He took stock of ongoing operations, interacted with the field staff, and assessed the preparedness for the upcoming silkworm rearing season. He lauded the efforts of departmental officers and encouraged them to continue extending technical and logistical support to the farmers and rearers in the region.
The Director reiterated that the department remains steadfast in its mission to ensure inclusive growth and development through the expansion of sericulture in all potential zones of the UT, especially in areas with untapped resources and high unemployment.
The District Sericulture Officer Bandipora and other senior officials of the department were present during the event and assured their full cooperation in implementing the departmental initiatives at the grassroots level.
This proactive step is expected to not only rejuvenate sericulture in these remote belts but also contribute significantly to rural employment and economic development in the tribal and border communities of Jammu and Kashmir.(KNS)