J&K govt tries to revive silk industry

The Jammu & Kashmir government is planning a multi-pronged strategy to boost the rural economy and revive heritage silk industry in the state.

In this connection, mulberry plantation week is being observed in Jammu division with the objective to create general awareness about the importance and benefits of sericulture industry.

As mulberry trees grow in abundance in Jammu and Kashmir and are the mainstay of silk industry here, about 17000 families are earning their livelihood to the tune of four crore rupees annually from this trade.

"Kashmir silk has great fame in the world market for its softness and delicacy. We have already undertaken steps to allure farmers to adopt silkworm rearing as a profession as it has vast employment and economic generation potential," Abdul Aziz Zargar, Minister for Agriculture and Cooperatives, said.

State government provides subsidy of Rs 10,000 for construction of rearing sheds to the cocoon rearers. In addition, they are also provided insecticides free of cost, and improved mulberry plant material.

"About 200 cocoon rearers in Jammu have been benefited by the scheme so far," Zargar said.

About 1.2 million mulberry plants would be planted in various areas of Jammu region under mulberry plantation week during the current season.

"There is tremendous demand for Kashmiri quality of cocoons in the country. Against the requirement of 25,000 metric tones of raw silk in India, only 15,000 metric tones of raw silk is produced in the country leaving a gap of about 10,000 metric tones, which needs to be bridged by tapping the vast sericulture potential in the state," the Agriculture Minister said.

There are 88 mulberry nurseries in Jammu province where from more than 12 lakh plants are produced, which are subsequently distributed among the farmers on subsidised rates. The farmers are paid an incentive of Rs.6.50 per plant in three instalments as plantation and after-care charges.

"We have introduced improved mulberry varieties in the field. These varieties give better quality leaf, which help in production of good quality cocoon. We also plan to bring wasteland wherever available under mulberry plantation so that the landless farmers can generate sources of income," Director Sericulture, Mohammad Ashraf Khan, said.