Bandipora : A three-day Farmers Skill Development Programme conducted under Capacity Building Activities of Silk Samagra-2/HADP by the Sericulture Development Department, ISDP Sonawari, concluded successfully today at Mulberry Nursery Vijpara Hajin in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district.

The programme witnessed enthusiastic participation from silkworm rearers and progressive farmers from various areas of Sonawari, reflecting the growing interest in sericulture as a sustainable livelihood option in the region.

Speaking on the occasion, Development Officer Sericulture ISDP Sonawari, Dr. Inayat Saleem Fazili, highlighted the vast potential of sericulture as a low-investment, employment-generating and eco-friendly rural enterprise capable of transforming the socio-economic condition of farming communities. He said the favourable climatic conditions of Bandipora district, along with the active involvement of women in sericulture activities, provide a strong foundation for the rapid growth and strengthening of the silk industry in the area.

During the three-day programme, participants received practical and technical training on scientific silkworm rearing practices, chawki rearing management, disease prevention measures, mulberry plantation management and modern cocoon production techniques. The training sessions were aimed at enhancing cocoon yield, improving the quality of silk production and increasing farmers’ income.

The programme also focused on creating awareness among farmers about sericulture as a profitable and sustainable alternative to conventional farming practices.

Technical sessions were conducted by expert resource persons, including Zonal Incharge ISDP Sonawari, Peer Nazir Ahmad, along with other field functionaries of the department, who shared field-level experiences and modern techniques with the participants.
On the concluding day, certificates, sericulture-related tool kits and informative booklets were distributed among 50 participating farmers to encourage and strengthen their capacity in sericulture activities.

The participants appreciated the department for organizing the farmer-oriented programme and expressed hope that such initiatives would further boost the sericulture sector at the grassroots level in the district.