SRINGAR: As part of the ongoing Skill Development Programme of the Sericulture Development Department, Director Sericulture J&K, Ajaz Ahmad Bhat, today flagged off a group of Silkworm Rearers for four-day Inter-State Farmers Training Programme to Himachal Pradesh under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme – ATMA (2025-26).
The programme commenced on 13th October, marking another significant step by the department towards strengthening farmers’ technical knowledge and promoting sustainable sericulture practices across the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir.
A total of 35 progressive sericulture farmers, representing all districts of the Kashmir Division, are participating in this exposure-cum-training programme. The key objective of this initiative is to familiarize the farmers with the latest technological advancements, modern equipment, and innovative practices being adopted in other states, thereby improving the quality and productivity of silk in J&K.
During the four-day programme, the farmers will visit some of the most reputed research and sericulture institutions in Himachal Pradesh, including the Agriculture University and Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), and the State Sericulture Department’s Grainage, Palampur. The itinerary also includes visits to the Regional Extension Centre (REC), Oak Tassar, Central Silk Board, the Divisional Office of the State Sericulture Department, State Farm for Mulberry/Eri cultivation, Post-Cocoon Reeling Units at Nadaun and Ghumarwin, as well as the Sericulture Museum at Nalagarh.
These institutional visits have been meticulously planned to impart hands-on training in both pre-cocoon and post-cocoon technologies, helping farmers to gain practical exposure to scientific sericulture practices. The interactions with experts and field professionals will enable participating farmers to adopt advanced methods that can be replicated in local conditions across J&K.
Speaking on the occasion, the Director highlighted that the department is deeply committed to empowering sericulture farmers through continuous skill upgradation, exposure visits, and training programmes. He emphasized that such initiatives under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme ATMA play a crucial role in bridging the knowledge gap and encouraging farmers to embrace modern technologies and improved rearing techniques.
The director further informed that the Department is also working on introducing Seri-Tourism in J&K and in this connection the instructions have been already issued to the officers of the department to ensure all the arrangements necessary for the purpose are made and wide publicity is given to the Seed Station Manasbal for attracting sizable number of tourists from within and outside.
The Sericulture Development Department reiterated its mission to build a sustainable and profitable sericulture sector in Jammu & Kashmir by ensuring that farmers remain at the forefront of innovation, skill development, and best practices that contribute to the overall growth of the silk industry in the Union Territory.
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