SRINAGAR: In a significant development for Jammu and Kashmir’s sericulture sector, the Sericulture Department on Thursday distributed low-cost silkworm rearing huts among silkworm rearers and farmers in Budgam district. The move aims to ease the longstanding challenge of inadequate rearing space, especially for landless farmers who constitute a large segment of the rural sericulture workforce.
The distribution forms part of a broader initiative by the Department of Sericulture to modernise and strengthen its support infrastructure across the Union Territory. Alongside physical infrastructure like huts and sheds, the department is also providing farm implements, disinfectants, technical guidance, and phased financial assistance to enhance productivity and sustainability in silkworm farming.
The first batch of indigenously produced F1 Silkworm Seed was also flagged off on the occasion for delivery to all Incubation-cum-Chawki Rearing Centres across Kashmir. The seed, developed through coordinated efforts across departmental seed stations and grainages, is expected to significantly improve rearing outcomes this season.
Officials said these efforts are part of a comprehensive drive to generate sustainable employment and uplift the rural economy through sericulture. The schemes are particularly focused on empowering women, unemployed youth, and marginalised communities, with a vision to create dignified livelihood opportunities in the sector.
Director of Sericulture, Aijaz Ahmad Bhat, IAS, who oversaw the distribution, reaffirmed the department’s commitment to inclusive growth and rural empowerment through enhanced support for the sericulture community.
The event drew wide participation from silkworm rearers, local farmers, SKUAST-K scientists, and departmental officials, signalling growing community engagement with sericulture revival efforts in Jammu and Kashmir.
