JAMMU: Ajaz Ahmad Bhat (IAS), Director Sericulture J&K, on Thursday undertook an extensive field tour of Silkworm Seed Stations, Mulberry Nurseries, and Farms across Ramban and Udhampur Districts in Jammu Division.

The tour commenced with a thorough examination of the District Sericulture Office in Ramban, followed by an in-depth inspection of its Mulberry Nurseries and farms spanning in an area of 29 Kanals of land which are adjacent to the Ramban Bus Stand.

The Director Sericulture J&K while reviewing field operations in the District, highlighted the pivotal role of the availability of leaf reserve/ foliage and other assistance being provided by the department to the Silkworm Rearers, Farmers, Youth and women folk for Silkworm Rearing in a hassle free and blissful environment for deriving double cocoon production and dignified livelihood.

During his visit to the said districts he inspected many Silkworm Rearing units of Rearers and Famers and had a detailed interaction with them.

During his tour to Ramban District, the Director Sericulture J&K came across a network of nine Mulberry Nurseries spread in a large swathes of 300 Kanals of land with 40,000 mulberry plants. Moreover, he also inspected the Silkworm Seed houses in Banihal and Batote, along with the Basic Silkworm Seed Station in Chareel Banihal which are instrumental in the production and distribution of High-Quality Silkworm Seed.

The said seed houses are utilized by the department to produce an impressive 2 lakh DFLs of F1 Silkworm Seed which is further supplemented by Silkworm Seed Station, Chareel Banihal with an output capacity of 12,500 DFLs of P1 Silkworm Seed. Besides, he said that the Seed House is upgraded with an estimated cost of Rs. 50 lakh out of which Rs. 34 lakh have already been allotted and about Rs. 25 lakh have been expended for the purpose.

Continuing his journey, the Director Sericulture J&K also visited various Mulberry Nurseries/ Farms in District Udhampur and visited Seed Grainage/ Cold Storage at Kud, Udhampur to inspect the up-gradation works of the Seed Grainage which is being up-graded at an estimated cost of Rs. 50 lakh out of which Rs. 35 lakh stand allotted and Rs. 28 lakh have been expended so far. Subsequently, while inspecting Basic Seed Station Cherry and Sial Salan , Udhampur to take stock of breeding operations presently in progress, he stressed on timely completion of breeding operations after due synchronization of seed cocoons. Further, he also visited Basic Seed Station Pata to oversee the up-gradation works in order to utilize the facility for F1 Seed Production.

Speaking on the occasion, the Director Sericulture J&K, said that with a special focus on engaging landless, tribal farmers, and female folk in sericulture practices the Department of Sericulture provides every assistance and technical guidance to them in order to reap optimum results in enhancing their income generation capacity.

He stressed upon the officers and field functionaries of the department to work with dedication and actively disseminate awareness among them with respect to all the facilities and assistance available with the department.

The Director Sericulture J&K during his tour of Ramban and Udhampur Districts he was accompanied by the District Sericulture Officer, Ramban and other officers of the department.