Altaf Hamid Rao.
MIRPUR [AJK], (Parliament Times) : The day-long division-level capacity building workshop of both genders of the farmers of Kashmir-based centuries-old cottage industry of Sericulture concluded on Tuesday with special emphasis by the Sericulture experts and related educationists to collectively work for the promotion of ancient Sericulture industry in Azad Jammu Kashmir through maximum involvement of the private-sector farmers to make them self-supported economically under the spirit of the already-launched poverty alleviation program in the State.
Our Special AJK Correspondent Altaf Hamid Rao reports from Kotli that the one day grand division-level workshop on Sericulture industry was hosted at the State-run University of Kotli jointly by the State Sericulture Department with the coordination of the Kotli varsity management.
The awareness program on Sericulture was largely attended by the seasoned academicians, varsity students besides men and women sericulture farmers – especially by the Acting Vice Chancellor of the Kotli University Dr Mushtaq A Sajjid, Director AJK Sericulture Department Syed Ali Asghar Shah, Dr M Irshad Dean Faculty of Basic & Applied Sciences, Dr Faraz Akrim, Chairman department of zoology, Dr Amjad Hussaain Assistent Professor Zoology, Dr Sajida Rasheed Assistent Professor Biotechnology, M Mansoor, Ms Zahreen Rukhsar and Ms Fouzia Saeed, lecturers Zoology.
Sericulture industry experts incuding Rizwan Ullah Khan Entomologist, Fahad Kayani Assistant Director,
Ahsan Manzoor Sericulture Development Officer and Salaar Mehmood ASDO, in their respective detailed presentations invited the vibrant participation of existing and intending farmers in the sericulture cottage industry to make them self supported finically by participating in the seasonal silk rearing programs enjoying the due facilities being provided by the State Sericulture department in form of free of cost local and foreign made silk seed, kits of related equipment and professional technical know-how.
While addressing to the audience Syed Ali Asghar Shah, the Director Sericulture GoAJ&K told that Sericulture is a traditional and home based cottage industry of the Kashmir providing an additional source of income to landless and poor farmers of the State especially women folk of the remote areas. A large number of women folk also got three days training in Sericulture at Khoiratta, Chinnari, Sudhnoti, Panag Sharief and Bagh, still showing a great interest of ladies in silkworm rearing to earn additional source of income for their economic empowerment, he added.
Director Sericulture lauded the department of Zoology University of Kotli and efforts of Chairman of the Zoology department for collaborating in holding the grand ceremony.
Future coordination was also decided on this occasion for continuation of such type of initiatives to promote traditional Sericulture industry of Kashmir.
Speaking on this occasion, Vice Chancellor University of Kotli Dr Mushtaq A Sajid warmly appreciated the efforts of the Sericulture department and said, activities of Sericulture are really very close to the spirit of Business Administration, started by the university of Kotli 30 years ago.
The Sericulture sector can be promoted on the pattern of ancient regime in the State by doing a comprehensive research work in this field. The universities must focus on research work in the field of Sericulture, speakers suggested .
This Correspondent observed the eye catching presentations on importance of Sericulture and different uses of the Sericulture products there was a pin drop silence in the Hall showing great interest by the audience.
The presenters highlighted the Role of Sericulture in livelihood, poverty alleviation, women empowerment and National Economy, Medicinal Prospective of mulberry in Agriculture and Pharma Industry, and Environmental impact of Sericulture in the region of AJ&K.
Representatives from NRSP and AKHUWAT also participated in the ceremony on special invitation to provide financial assistance if required by the Sericulture farmers.
