Scientists succeed in introduction of Sericulture in Poyen Village of Kargil

A group of scientists from Temperate Sericulture Research Institute of SKUAST, Srinagar, succeeded in introduction of Sericulture in Poyen Village of Kargil. Development of Sericulture activities in Kargil will serve purpose of achieving cocoon productivity. It will ultimately increase employment and generate income for rural youth and tribal farmers. During 2015-16, 31 unemployed girls/women

farmers received training at Poyen village and produced quality Bivoltine cocoons for the first time in Kargil district.

On the instructions of Chairman Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council Kargil Haji Mohd Hanifa Jan, 40 days intensive Bivoltine Silk Worm rearing training programme was organized in the same village jointly by the institute, CSR & TI, Central Silk Board, and Ministry of Textiles.

What is sericulture?

• Sericulture is the rearing of silkworms for the production of silk.

• Bombyx mori (the caterpillar of the domesticated silk moth) is the most widely used and intensively studied silkworm.

• Silk was first produced in China as early as the Neolithic period.

• Sericulture has become an important cottage industry in countries such as Brazil, China, France, India, Italy, Japan, Korea and Russia.

• At present, China and India are the two main producers, with more than 60% of the world's annual production.