Sericulture Deptt plans over 2 lakh mulberry saplings across Jammu division

Jammu: Department of Sericulture has planted 2,21,150 Mulberry saplings, so far, this plantation season in various districts of Jammu division.
The information was given here Tuesday at a meeting chaired by Director Sericulture Gulzar Ahmad. The meeting was attended by District Sericulture Officers of Jammu division and representatives of other departments.
It was given out that 10,800 Mulberry saplings under Urban plantation, 75,700 under Farm plantation and 60,150 under institutional plantation were planted in the districts of Jammu.
Similarly, 21,000 plants under Strip Plantation and 52,000 plants under MGNERGA convergence programme with Rural Development Department were planted during the ongoing plantation drive, so far.
Under the new initiative of Seri-tourism, 1500 highly-improved and ornamental mulberry saplings have been planted in Jammu Tawi Golf Course (JTGC) at Sidhra and Food Craft Institute (FCI) at Jagti Jammu, the meeting was informed.
The Department shall also conduct monsoon plantation drive under which it has targeted to plant 30,000 saplings in the identified areas of the division.
The meeting was further informed that the planting of mulberry cuttings is apace in 84 departmental nurseries in various districts of the division and so far 10,80,000 cutting have been planted. Besides over 3 lakh seedlings are also being transplanted in these nurseries. The task is expected to be completed by next week, the meeting was told.
Director Sericulture asked the functionaries of the department to chase the targets and ensure the survival of the plants by involving their departmental counterparts as well as locals.
He impressed on the adoption of latest technologies in vegetative propagation and grafting processes to ensure healthy production of saplings. He said the traditional techniques and practices must be exercised wherever and whenever applicable. He said the department has been focusing on Urban as well as Institutional mulberry plantation.