Anantnag, July 18: Mr. Ajaz Ahamd Bhat (IAS), Director Sericulture J&K, today Inaugurated 3 Days Skill Development Programme at Sarnal, Anantnag under Capacity Building Activities for Silkworm Rearers/ Farmers under Silk SAMAGRA-II. During the occasion he felicitated Shri Rajive Gupta, District Sericulture Officer, Udhampur and Smt. Ruby Jan, Sericulture Assistant and their teams with mementos and certificates for their commitment to excellence and relentless efforts for boosting Cocoon production and quality Silkworm Seed Production. The Director while addressing a huge gathering, underscored the need for skill up-gradation of Silkworm Rearers to undertake silkworm rearing on scientific lines. He also added in his address that among other initiatives of the department emphasis are being laid to organize 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 vigorously organize mass awareness programmes, exposure visits for Silkworm Rearers and youth in all the Districts across J&K under the able guidance of Mr. Shailendra Kumar (IAS), Principal Secretary to Govt. Agriculture Production Department. The initiative aims to sensitize them about the latest Sericulture techniques being practiced by the Silkworm Rearers outside J&K. On the occasion the Director Sericulture J&K also felicitated Silkworm Rearers with Silkworm Rearing kits, farm tools and implements as a token of encouragement and as part of the outreach initiative under HADP in order to attract and involve more and more farmers in the field of Sericulture.
The Director Sericulture J&K while speaking on the occasion emphasized that people in general and the unemployed youth in particular need to be made aware vis-a-vis the potential of Sericulture Sector and various schemes of the department to increase their income generation capacity.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
During his address he directed the officers that utmost priority must be given for 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 dignified livelihood. Since, the Silkworm Rearing being in-house practice and does not require large space, it can prove advantageous not only for the general farmers but for the landless Farmers as well. On the occasion, the Director informed that the department provides plethora of facilities including financial assistance for construction of rearing sheds to Silkworm rearers in a phased manner.
The Director exhorted upon the officers and field functionaries of the department to discharge their duties with zeal and zest, beside, extend all assistance to the Silkworm Rearers and farmers with respect to technical expertise and systematic application of disinfectants for disease free rearing.
Mr. Ajaz Ahmad Bhat (IAS), while addressing Silkworm Rearers stressed that they should also exert their full potential and double efforts while ensuring quality to achieve bumper crop during rearing season.
While concluding his address the Director Sericulture J&K expressed his gratitude to Mr. P. Sivakumar(IFS), Member secretary Central Silk Board Bangalore for his full support to the Sericulture Dev. Department J&K in its efforts to transform the socio economic landscape of J&K for inclusive development of all sections of society.
The Additional Director, Sericulture Dev. Deptt., Kashmir, District Sericulture Officer, Anantnag/ Kulgam and other Officers of the department were also present on the occasion.(KNS)