Jammu: In a bid to promote the sericulture industry in state, the Jammu and Kashmir government has constituted a multi task force that will work out strategies for holistic development of mulberry, cocoon production, silk reeling, weaving of silk fabric and other downstream products.

“The government has sanctioned funds over Rs 10 crore for the development of sericulture in the state in the current fiscal,” Minister of State for Power, Forest and CAPD Shabir Khan said.

The Department has a target of producing nine lakh kgs cocoon in the current fiscal. He added.

He said that there was no dearth of funds for supporting the growth of this industry, but there is a need to frame and implement a distinct strategy to achieve the desired goals,” the Minister said.

He also added that climatic conditions in Rajouri are highly suitable for cocoon production and asked the officers to take steps for promoting it.
He also underlined the necessity of developing adequate facilities at existing cocoon market at Sunderbani. He insisted and stressed for proper upkeep of the existing infrastructure for ensuring adequate power supply in the area.

According to Agriculture Production Minister Ghulam Hassan Mir,  “besides developing of pre-cocoon sector, there is also an urgent need to develop post cocoon related activities, as presently, over 70 per cent of the raw material was being exported outside the state.

” He also added that the cocoon production in the state has gone, during 2009-10 as compared to the production of 738 MT, during 2008-09. The income of the farmers during the current year has been 800 lakh, as against Rs 345 lakh last year.