State Level Workshop to Promote Sericulture in Punjab: Scientists and Farmers of Six States Participated

By Samachar Vishesh News

Chandigarh 28^th November:- To promote Sericulture in the state of Punjab and redress the problems being faced by farmers, the Punjab Horticulture Department today organized State-level Workshop here at Kheti Bhawan, Sector-56, in which experts, scientists and silk worm farmers of six states participated. During this workshop, technical sessions were held, where scientists from Central Silk Board, GoI provided technical information about silkworm rearing and gave solution regarding the problems being faced by the sericulture farmers.

Rajit Ranjan Okhandiar, IFS, Member Secretary, Central Silk Board, GoI was the Chief Guest, while R.K. Sinha, Deputy Secretary (Technical), Central Silk Board New Delhi, Dr. C.M. Bajpai, Scientist-D and Sericulture Nodal Officer, Central Silk Board Bangalore, Sujit Singh, Director Khadi and Village Industry Commission Chandigarh, Dr. Sukhen Roy Chowdhary, Director, CSR & TI Kashmir, Dr. Sardar Singh, Scientist-D, RSS Jammu, Dr. Surinder Bhatt, Scientist-D, STSC Jammu, Dr. V.P. Gupta, Scientist-D, SSPC Dehradun and Dr. Purohit, Scientist, SRS Himachal Pradesh were special guests. Besides, about 50 sericulture farmers from Punjab, Jammu and Himachal Pradesh participated.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Guest R R Okhandiar said that there is huge potential for the development of sericulture in Kandi areas of Punjab. Giving detailed information on technical and financial assistance provided to the sericulture farmers under different schemes of GoI, he appreciated the initiatives taken for the promotion of sericulture in the state by Director Horticulture Punjab. Interacting with the farmers, he assured that the Government of India is keen to provide all kinds of support for further development of this venture in Punjab. "Present problem of marketing of cocoon in the state will be resolved very soon so that farmers could earn higher income from this profession", he assured the farmers.

On this occasion Mrs. Shailender Kaur, IFS, Director Horticulture Punjab and Gulab Singh Gill, Joint Director Horticulture Punjab welcomed the dignitaries.

Apprising about the present scenario of the sericulture in Punjab, Director Horticulture said that the auxiliary sericulture occupation in Punjab is being carried out in the sub-mountainous districts of Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Hoshiarpur and Ropar by about 800-1000 farmers, who earn Rs.10,000 to Rs.12,000 annually. There are total 12 Government Sericulture farms in the state. In Punjab, two crops- spring & autumn schedule is practiced, of that spring crop contributes more than 70 per cent of total production of cocoon. Every year 700-800 ozs silk seed is being reared in the state from which 25,000-30,000 kg of cocoon is produced annually.

She said that the quality cocoons are being produced in Punjab and department is providing technical and financial support to the farmers under SCSP and RKVY schemes for various sericulture activities. She further said that the Khadi and Village Industry Commission, Chandigarh, is being coordinated by the department for assured marketing of cocoon production in the state, so that the silk cocoon can be marketed at the local level which will not only increase the income of the farmers but also help in the upliftment of their economic status. Consent was given by Sujit Singh, Director, Khadi and Village Industry Commission, Chandigarh.

Scientists from the Central Silk Board Centres of different states shared information on the cultivation of mulberry, production and maintenance of silkworms, nurturing of silkworms, Seed sector, cocoon production and marketing during the workshop. A handbook of technological recommendations for sericulture was also released by Chief Guest and Director Horticulture Punjab.

Chaturjeet Singh, Horticulture Development Officer, Miss Meenu Bala, and Miss Inderjeet kaur (Both SOs), Avtar Singh, Manager and other staff of Horticulture department was also present on this occasion.