Ajaz Ahmad Bhat (IAS), Director Sericulture J&K, in a significant move during his visit to the Silkworm Seed Station Tarhama in District Baramulla announced that the Department of Sericulture is actively working on doubling Silkworm Seed Production in U.T of Jammu & Kashmir indigenously.

During his visit to the Seed Station Tarhama he inspected the ongoing up-gradation of the existing Silkworm Seed Unit and mulberry nurseries and farmers existing in the Station. 

Speaking on the occasion Ajaz Ahmad Bhat (IAS), said that a proactive approach and concerted efforts are needed to make U.T of J&K self sufficient in Silkworm Seed production for which the department will rope in Silkworm Rearers in doubling the Silkworm Seed Production all across J&K. This initiative will certainly pave way for making the U.T of J&K self-reliant in Silkworm Seed production as envisioned under the Holistic Agriculture Development Program (HADP).

The Seed Station Tarhama hosts a sprawling 110 Kanals Mulberry Farm with 10,000 mulberry plants of Dwarf and Tall plantation of exotic Mulberry varieties. The mulberry foliage harvested in the farm are being utilized in the Seed Station Tarhama for seed crop rearing and producing F1 Silkworm Seed for distribution among Silkworm Rearers of Kashmir Division including adjacent villages of Seed Station for Commercial Silkworm Cocoon Crop. Moreover, the commercial seed production capacity of seed Station is 1.0 lac to 1.20 lac DFLs capacity by rearing 1000 P1 DFLs to 1200 P1 DFLs.

During his visit, he took review meeting with the officers of Seed Station and stressed on the need to remove all the bottlenecks which hamper the progress of technical operations in the Seed Station Tarhama with respect to availability and optimum use of vital infrastructure at the Seed Station Tarhama. Moreover, he assured that the matter will be taken up with the authority for streamlining the operations at the Silkworm Seed Station.

Addressing the gathering, the Director urged silkworm rearers and farmers from adjacent villages to actively participate in silkworm seed production in addition to their silkworm rearing activities in order to bolster their income significantly.

He pledged the department's commitment to provide technical guidance and support to interested individuals venturing into silkworm seed production. This move aims to enhancing productivity and doubling the production of Double Hybrid Silkworm Seed in J&K.

The Manager Seed, Basic Seed Station, Mirgund and other officers were also present on the occasion.