Silk cocoon prices touch 1,500 per kg in J&K; Sericulture Dept reviews sector progress

Ziraat Times News Desk

Jammu, June 27: Cocoon prices in the organised markets of Jammu and Udhampur averaged between ₹1,400 and ₹1,500 per kilogram during the current season, providing favourable returns to silkworm rearers, officials said during a review meeting of the Sericulture Development Department on Friday.

The meeting, chaired by Director Sericulture Development Department J&K Ajaz Ahmad Bhat at the Directorate of Sericulture, Jammu, reviewed the progress of various developmental schemes and departmental programmes being implemented across the Jammu Division.

Officials assessed the physical and financial progress of projects under the CAPEX budget, the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) and the Silk Samagra Scheme for the financial years 2023-24, 2024-25 and 2025-26. The meeting also reviewed the status of pending utilisation certificates and beneficiary coverage under the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.

The Director reviewed achievements in silkworm seed production and distribution, cocoon production targets for 2025-26, and the proposed action plan and targets for 2026-27.

Progress regarding the establishment and operationalisation of the Automatic Reeling Unit in the Jammu Division also came up for discussion. Bhat stressed the need for timely completion of developmental works and effective utilisation of allocated resources.

Reviewing cocoon auctions in Jammu and Udhampur and ongoing cocoon marketing activities in Kathua, the Director described the prevailing cocoon prices as encouraging for growers.

He directed officers to ensure timely implementation of departmental programmes, expedite pending works and adhere to prescribed timelines. He also called for strengthening sericulture activities at the grassroots level to enhance silk production and improve the socio-economic condition of farmers associated with the sector.

The meeting was attended by the Development Officer, SDD E&T Rajouri; Deputy Director E&S, SDD J&K; Research Officer; District Sericulture Officers; Managers Seed; Seed Unit Incharges; and Circle Incharges of the Jammu Division.