Srinagar: Minister for Agriculture, Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura Tuesday inaugurated Silk Cocoon Auction Market set up by Sericulture Department at Solina Srinagar to facilitate selling and buying of local silk cocoons.
On the occasion, Hajura said cocoon auction market has been set up for farmers to sell their cocoons at competitive rates to buyers both within and outside the state.
With cocoon growers receiving double the price for their produce this year in the auction market compared to last year, The Agriculture Minister expressed his happiness with the upshot saying that it was due to the sustained efforts of the concerned department that both Silk Cocoon production and its quality has improved.
Hanjura said last year price of Cocoon per Kg was around Rs 750 to 800, whereas it has shot upto Rs1250 per Kg this time.
Hanjura also said Silk Cocoon rearing is turning out to be a profitable and viable option for farmers as State Government is extending assistance through various incentives, technological inputs and timely guidance in this regard.
The Minister said Financial assistance is being provided to local Silk reeling units through loans and other incentives which will be provided to benefit farmers and local unit holders as well.
He also said Government is working on different initiatives so that integrated Silk Industry flourishes in the State.
The Minister also had an interactive session with Cocoon growers and other people associated with the trade. He assured them that their genuine demands would be addressed on priority.
The Minister also visited the site of under construction Cold Storage facility complex at Tulsibagh. The cold store is being constructed at the cost of Rs 1.25 crores and it is expected to be completed by October this year.
During the visit to the auction market and cold storage site, the Minister was also accompanied by Director Sericulture and other officers of the department.
The buyers from outside the state were satisfied with the quality of the Kashmiri cocoon and were seen shopping in bulk.
Cocoon producers from Pattan, Tangmarg, Bandipora, Sonawari, Budgam, Srinagar, Ganderbal, Kangan and other places had brought their cocoons for selling to this market, thronged by both local and outside State buyers.
In this cocoon auction market, buyers from various parts of the country including West Bengal, Assam, Karnataka and other states participated.
