Srinagar, March 27: Sericulture Department J&K today commenced a significant fruit bearing mulberry plantation propagation at the Basic Seed Station Mirgund.
Speaking on occasion the Ajaz Ahmad Bhat (IAS), Director Sericulture Department J&K informed that for the 1st time in J&K 2500 exotic fruit bearing cuttings viz Multicaulis (Indonesia); Okinova (Japan); French black (France); KRZ (krygistan) have been imported by the department and simultaneously plantation of improved varieties of mulberry plants has been conducted in 20 kanals of land in Mirgund Pattan. So to make possible to be distributed the improved varieties of Mulberry Plants to various Districts of Jammu & Kashmir and among the Silkworm Rearers and Farmers of the adjacent areas.
Besides, the department shall propagate more than 1 lakh mulberry plants at Mirgund Farm during the next year 2024-25. These initiatives would certainly mark a pivotal step towards fostering innovation and diversification within the sector.
The Director Sericulture J&K emphasized upon the officers of J&K Sericulture Dev. Department to work with zeal and zest in order to achieve all the developmental targets and gear up for extensive mulberry plantation drive for making the leaf reserves readily available to the silkworm rearers for ensuing rearing season apart-from relentlessly strive and work for double cocoon production.
The Director Sericulture J&K also underscored the need to further strengthen the surveillance of the boundary walls of all the Mulberry Nurseries, Farms, Units and various offices of the Seed Stations so as to prevent any trespassing or damage to the departmental assets existing in the Seed Stations. Moreover, he also exhorted upon the Officers present on the occasion that all measures must be taken to safeguard departmental assets and any attempt of encroachment also must be reported urgently to the authorities. The Director Sericulture J&K further directed the employees working in the Basic Seed Station, Mirgund to ensure hygiene and cleanliness in their work place so that a blissful environment is created in all the offices and silkworm seed units in the basic seed Station Mirgund.
During the formal launch, Ajaz Ahmad inspected various Mulberry Nurseries/ Farms, Silkworm Seed Units and the Office of Manager Seed, Sericulture Dev. Department, Basic Seed Station Mirgund.
During the visit, Mr. Ajaz had a detailed interaction with the employees working in the Seed Station and exhorted upon them to work with dedication and leave no stone unturned for the production of quality Silkworm Seed and emphasized the need to increase the Seed production capacity of the Seed Stations for achieving the self-sufficiency in silkworm seed production and abundant mulberry foliage in the form of leaf bank in U.T. of J&K.
The Manager Seed, Basic Seed Station, Mirgund and other officers were also present on the occasion.