DC Kargil launches mulberry plantation drive
KARGIL, JUNE 16, 2021: Deputy Commissioner and CEO, LAHDC, Kargil Santosh Sukhadeve launched a mulberry plantation drive at the Horticulture and Agriculture farms here today.
The plantation drive has been initiated by the College of Temperate Sericulture and Research Institute, SKUAST-Kashmir in collaboration with the Mountain Agriculture Research and Extension Station (MARES), SKUAST-Kargil in view of the successful silk cocoon crop production in Kargil District, besides to boost the quality mulberry leaf production and augmentation of mulberry wealth in the district.
Senior Scientist and Head MARES, SKUAST-Kargil, Dr Faizan Ahmad, Scientist from SKUAST-Kashmir Dr Zafar Iqbal Buhroo, Chief Horticulture Officer Kargil Ali Raza, Chief Agriculture Officer Kacho Muhammad Ali Khan, Forest Range Officer Niyaz Ali besides other concerned officers were present on the occasion.
The Deputy Commissioner while speaking on the occasion appreciated the College of Temperate Sericulture and Research Institute, SKUAST-Kashmir and MARES, SKUAST-Kargil for taking such initiatives for tribal farmers of Kargil District. He expressed optimism that this initiative will go a long way in generating employment opportunities for the unemployed youth and the tribal farmers which will in turn prove helpful in the augmentation of their livelihood.
The DC also hailed the efforts of the concerned agencies for introduction of the improved mulberry varieties in the district which is need of the hour for strengthening sericulture activities for benefit of the local population.
Speaking on the occasion, Senior Scientist and Head MARES, SKUAST-Kargil Dr Faizan Ahmed highlighted the importance of improved mulberry variety Goshoerami which is being introduced and popularized in the region and further added that the initiative has been taken by SKUAST-Kashmir keeping in view the scope of sericulture in the region as quality silk cocoon production was achieved in recent past by the scientific team of SKUAST-Kashmir and SKUAST-Kargil under a university funded research project which was conducted during 2018-2020.
Dr Zafar Iqbal Buhroo who is also the Principal Investigator of the sericulture project for Kargil highlighted the scope and importance of mulberry plantation, and added that this will serve as the base for promotion and establishment of sericulture industry in the area.
The scientists of the SKUAST further added that the Vice Chancellor, SKUAST Kashmir is very much keen in furthering sericulture activities in Kargil District so that silk farming is promoted in the area, and becomes a viable option for unemployed youth and tribal farmers for their livelihood. They further added that SKUAST-Kashmir is aiming to introduce quality mulberry fruiting varieties in the region in coming years so that local tribal farmers are benefited.
