Srinagar, Oct 29: Saying that J&K was on way to revive its sericulture industry, Minister for Agriculture, Ghulam Hassan Mir said the sector has shown upward trend in its performance since last three years and its pristine glory is being restored.
 The Minister was addressing a large gathering after inaugurating one day workshop on “recent trends in development of Bivoltine sericulture in J&K” organized by sericulture department and Central sericulture Research & Training institute of Central Silk board at SKICC here today, an official statement said.
 Mir said that various measures are already in place for revival of  heritage Sericulture industry in J&K as it has huge potential of providing employment avenues to the youth of the state. He said that due to prolonged unrest in the state, the industry suffered badly due to which we are lagging behind to other states of the country in production.
 “But with the efforts of the government, the cocoon production of the state has reached 1900 MT and the total income incurred during this fiscal is Rs 11 crore”, he added.
 He said that cocoon rearing has also increased from 19000 to 37000 within two and half years and adding that this shows the state is gaining momentum in becoming Highest quality Cocoon producing state in the country.
 For boosting Bivoltine Sericulture in J&K, Minister said that it is the only state of the country where geographical conditions are very much favorable for Bivoltine.
 He said in this regard that 2500 hectares of land under Mulberry plantation will be developed through CDP, exclusive for introducing of Bivoltine cocoon production and thrust area approach of the department is that its clusters will be developed with an objective of area incremental increase in mulberry plantation.
 For revival of the industry, the Minister said that there is no dearth of funds for supporting the growth of the industry, but there is a need for proper developmental strategies and their implementation to achieve the target. 

Lastupdate on : Sat, 29 Oct 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 29 Oct 2011 18:30:00 GMT
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