Govt arranges cocoon marketing in Pir Panchal, Growers welcome move

Jammu: With the government intervention amid the Covid pandemic and absence of the outside buyers, the cocoon growers here are having a hassle free trade of their produce.
The government move has made sustenance of thousands of cocoon rearing families possible in the Pir Panchal region as well. According to Director Sericulture J&K, Manzoor Ahmad Qadiri, over 40,000 kg of cocoons (Green), valuing more than Rs 1.50 crore, has been procured at Sunderbani market of the Department by Government through Jammu and Kashmir Industries Ltd. till yesterday.
He informed that due to keen interest shown by Principal Secretary to Government, Agriculture Production Department, Navin K. Choudhary, for promoting cocoon rearing in the UT which is famous for producing unique Bivoltine Silk Cocoons of international grades in the county, a series of measures are in the pipeline, of which facilitation /assured marketing for the people associated with the trade is the prime importance.
Realizing the importance of Sericulture for inclusive development of rural populace especially the weaker section a proactive approach for marketing in association with JKI was taken under the guidance of Navin K. Choudhary to provide marketing support during the present situation as arrangements of forward and backward linkages within the UT itself where presently more than 70% of the cocoon produced goes outside.
The Director Sericulture informed that presently Cocoon Marketing facilities for the growers of Jammu province are being conducted through Additional Director, Sericulture Rajinder Kumar Bhagat, who has been nominated as Nodal Officer for coordination and liasioning with buyers both outside and local as well as arrangements for procurements through JKI . He said the process will be started for Kashmir Division soon where marketing plans for both spring as well as autumn crop have been finalized in the meeting with the District Officers of the province.