IGNOU launches six-month programme in Sericulture

New Delhi, Mar 21 (UNI) The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), in collaboration with the Central Silk Board, has launched a six-month certificate programme in Sericulture.

''The IGNOU-CSB Sericulture programme will be the first such full-fledged educational and training programme being offered in the country through Open and Distant Learning mode,'' an IGNOU official said.

The programme would be made available to rural youth, skilled/ semi-skilled workers in sericulture, he added.

The course will be offered from July 2008 for which candidates with Secondary School qualification will be eligible.

He said the programme is expected to address the vast manpower requirement for trained personnel in the Sericulture sector in India.

''After taking this course, successful candidates can find employment avenues as sericulture professionals, field assistants supervisors in private grainages and farm supervisors in corporate sericulture farms,'' he added.

India occupies second position among silk producing countries in the world besides being the largest silk consumer.

''The limited coverage is being made by the Governmental and NGOs under the educational and training component for farmers, entrepreneurs and technicians through its training component through its institutional network,'' he said.

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