JK to construct cocoon warehouse

Srinagar, Nov 13: Under the Prime Minister's package, Jammu and Kashmir government is constructing a sericulture warehouse in south Kashmir to boost the cocoon production.

Pointing out the significance of Sericulture in farm economy Minister for Agriculture, Abdul Aziz Zargar laid stressed on growing of mulberry as a regular feature in the state.

Addressing farmers after laying foundation stone of sericulture warehouse at Berigam Devsar, Kulgam he said another warehouse is expected to be builf at a cost of Rs 50 lakh under the Prime Minister package.

On its completion in March next year it would provide storage, preservation and marketing facilities to cocoon producers, he said.

With the record profit of Rs 2 crore earned by farmers on 9 lakh kilogram record cocoon production this year, he said a great hope of expansion of the sector is expected in near future.

He said this is the fourth warehouse of its kind set up in the state, which would play a pivotal role in providing self-employment opportunities to large number of unemployed youth.

He said this step would facilitate not only the preservation and storage but also marketing of cocoon produced in the adjoining areas, besides cocoons would be kept available in the warehouse round the year.

Director Sericulture also stated on the occasion that machinery worth Rs 7 lakh would be installed to make the warehouse hi-tech and cocoons would be scientifically preserved under cocoon bank facility scheme.

UNI