Autumn silk cocoon auction market opens in Srinagar

Srinagar, October 19: The Autumn Silk Cocoon Auction Market for Kashmir Division commenced at the Sericulture Complex in Srinagar on Monday, providing cocoon growers an organised platform to sell their produce through a transparent and competitive auction process.

The market was inaugurated by Director Sericulture J&K, Ajaz Ahmad Bhat, in the presence of departmental officers, cocoon growers from various districts of Kashmir Division and buyers from within and outside Jammu & Kashmir.

The auction market aims to strengthen marketing infrastructure, improve linkages between growers and buyers, and promote a more organised marketing system for the sericulture sector. The participation of buyers from different regions is expected to encourage competition and improve market access for local growers.

The initiative is part of the department’s efforts to strengthen the sericulture value chain, from silkworm seed production and cocoon rearing to marketing and silk production, while supporting rural livelihoods.

Later, Bhat visited the Central Organization for Training in Sericulture (COTS) at Mirgund to review the progress of Late Autumn Rearing 2026 and assess the functioning of the newly established Silkworm Crop Improvement Laboratory.

During the visit, he reviewed ongoing rearing activities and research interventions aimed at improving silkworm productivity, strengthening breeding programmes and enhancing the performance of the sericulture sector.

The Director also reviewed the development and operationalisation of modern laboratory facilities intended to support scientific experimentation, breeding studies, evaluation of silkworm genetic material and technology-based crop improvement.

Emphasising the need to translate research into practical benefits for silkworm rearers, Bhat stressed sustained efforts in breeding, germplasm conservation and the adoption of improved rearing technologies to enhance productivity and cocoon quality.

The department said the auction market and research initiatives at COTS Mirgund form part of its efforts to improve market access, strengthen scientific crop improvement and enhance the productivity and competitiveness of the sericulture sector in Jammu & Kashmir.