Srinagar, Sept 5: A Farmer-Scientist Interaction Meeting was held at Kokarnag under the Mera Resham Mera Abhimaan (MRMA) 2.0 campaign to strengthen coordination between farmers, scientists and implementing agencies and promote sustainable growth of the sericulture sector.
The programme was attended by Gh. Nabi Mir, Additional Director, Kashmir, Sericulture Development Department (SDD), J&K and UT Nodal Officer for MRMA 2.0; Dr Aftab Ahmad Shabnam, Scientist-D, Central Sericultural Research & Training Institute (CSR&TI), Pampore and Institute Nodal Officer for North India; and Dr Jarpala Mounika, Scientist-B, Central Silk Board, besides officers and officials of the Central Silk Board and SDD.
During the interaction, farmers discussed issues across the sericulture production chain, including silkworm seed supply, rearing, mulberry leaf availability, cocoon production and post-cocoon activities. Scientists and officials responded to their concerns and provided technical guidance on scientific practices aimed at improving productivity, quality and profitability.
The farmers were also informed about various government schemes, programmes and institutional support available for the development of sericulture, with emphasis on making optimum use of available interventions and technical assistance.
Special focus was laid on the utilisation of sericulture by-products and waste to generate additional income and promote a more sustainable and circular production system.
A key outcome of the meeting was the farmers’ interest in taking up sericulture as a community-based activity. They expressed willingness to form and strengthen Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to undertake sericulture activities collectively, access schemes and inputs, share resources and technologies and enhance economic returns.
The interaction provided a platform for identifying field-level challenges, strengthening farmer-scientist linkages and evolving a coordinated approach for expanding sericulture in the Kokarnag area.
The programme concluded with farmers raising slogans of “Mera Resham, Mera Abhimaan” and reaffirming their commitment to collectively promote and develop sericulture in the region.
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