Srinagar, September 8 (KNS): A 13-member media delegation from Kerala on Tuesday visited the Central Sericultural Research and Training Institute (CSR&TI) at Pampore and the P4 Basic Seed Farm at Manasbal as part of its ongoing press tour of Jammu and Kashmir.

The delegation interacted with scientists and officials at the Pampore institute and was briefed about India’s silk production sector, research initiatives and the scope for further development of sericulture.

Scientist-D Dr Irfan Illahi welcomed the delegation and gave an overview of the country's silk industry, noting that India is the world's second-largest silk producer, while domestic demand continues to exceed production.

He said the institute was working to increase the number of farmers engaged in sericulture with the aim of boosting silk production and helping India emerge as the world's largest silk producer.

Illahi said the Kashmir institute is a temperate sericulture institute and the only such facility catering specifically to the temperate region. He also briefed the journalists about different varieties of silk produced in India, including Muga silk, for which the country holds a unique position globally.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

He apprised the delegation of various research projects being undertaken at the institute and highlighted initiatives such as seritourism, which combines awareness about sericulture with tourism.

The delegation was also informed about the use of seeds from the Palakkad Seed Centre in Kerala for research at the Pampore institute, highlighting the linkages between sericulture research institutions across different regions.

The journalists later visited the institute's museum, where Gulzar Ahmad Khan explained the history and evolution of sericulture and various stages and processes involved in silk production.

Later, the delegation visited the P4 Basic Seed Farm at Manasbal, where Dr Rajesh Kumar briefed them about different stages of silk production and seed development.

The visit also provided the media delegates an opportunity to witness the surroundings of Manasbal Lake.(KNS)