Ganderbal, May 11 (KNS): Ajaz Ahmad Bhat (IAS), Director Sericulture J&K, today undertook a very significant tour of District Ganderbal in order to inspect and asses the progress of various technical operations of the department in the District which include availability of mulberry foliage in Mulberry Farms and Nurseries across the District, synchronization of silkworm seed, incubation and silkworm rearing operations, besides, reaching out to far flung and tribal areas of the District.

Mr. Bhat, during his visit to various key facilities of the Department in the District he inspected Mulberry Blocks and Chawki Rearing Centers at Ganiwan and Guzhama, Ganderbal. During the occasion he meticulously examined the quality standards of Silkworm Seed at various incubation Centers of the District.

Speaking on the occasion the Director informed that the Chawki Rearing and Incubation centers located in the District play a crucial role in the hatching of Chawki Silkworms for subsequent distribution among silkworm rearers and farmers in the District. Continuing his tour he also inspected ongoing construction works on beneficiary-oriented silkworm rearing houses. He further said that in District Ganderbal the Department maintains 10 Mulberry Farms/Blocks and 02 Mulberry Nurseries spanning over an area of 445 Kanals of land. These facilities play a pivotal role in producing high-quality Mulberry Plants annually, which are distributed among farmers and plantation on State/Community land. This initiative aims to create mulberry leaf reserves in abundance for Silkworm Rearers / Farmers, besides, landless and marginal farmers in the region.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

The Director's itinerary also included a visit to Mulberry Nurseries/Farms at Yachama, where he scrutinized the F1 Double Hybrid Silkworm Seed Incubation Centre and assessed the rearing houses of silkworm rearers supported by funds released under the Holistic Agriculture Development Program (HADP).

During his interaction with silkworm rearers, Farmers and youth he emphasized the paramount importance of maintaining quality standards, careful and serious approach during Mulberry Plantation, Silkworm Rearing, handling of cocoons, reeling and weaving practices. He further exhorted upon the District Sericulture Officers, Managers Seeds, Farm Managers and field functionaries of the department to devote themselves for the welfare of Silkworm Rearers, Farmers and Youth, besides, provide them guidance and requisite facilities during rearing season promptly so that they can redouble their cocoon produce while maintain quality standards.

He further urged all stakeholders to make concerted efforts and leave no stone unturned to achieve the goals envisioned for double cocoon production in Jammu and Kashmir.

Ajaz Ahmad Bhat (IAS), Director Sericulture J&K was accompanied by the Additional Director, Sericulture Development Department, Kashmir Manager Seed, B.S.S Mirgund and District Sericulture Officer Ganderbal and other officers of the Department. (KNS)