Rajouri coming up as ''silkworm rearing'' district of J

Jammu, Jan 18 (PTI) The border district of Rajouri iscoming up as "silkworm rearing" district with high potentialin sericulture of Jammu and Kashmir.

Rajouri is coming up as silkworm rearing district and ithas high potential in sericulture, District Sericultureofficials said here today.

More than 5,400 families are associated with silkwormrearing there, they said adding that annually 6,500 ounces ofsilkworm seed is reared by these families, generating anannual income of Rs 225 lakh, they said.

The topography of the district, being sub-tropical, andthe mulberry plant, being deep rooted can sustain in theseconditions well therefore economies of sericulture has an edgeover other activities, they said.

There are 20 department mulberry nurseries existing inthe district where 2.65 lakh to 3 lakh mulberry plants areproduced every year for distribution among the farmers, theysaid.

There are also 33 department mulberry blocks spread overan area of 45 hectares where 1.10 lakh of mulberry plants areexisting, they said.

Keeping in potential of the district, the department isin collaboration with Central Silk Board and has beenimplementing a prestigious project under cluster promotionprogramme, they said.