Cocoon production reachs 800 Mts in state

Srinagar, June 3: The silk industry having vast business potential is emerging as a job oriented sector in Jammu and Kashmir where the cocoon production has reached to 800 metric tonnes, an official spokesman said today.

He said the Cocoon producers of the state have earned Rs five crore.

The state has projected allocation of Rs 2.35 crore for different centrally sponsored schemes, he said.

He said the department has provided rearing kits to the farmers worth Rs 75 lakhs during previous fiscal and has proposed Rs 80 lakh for market support to be given to thems.

Meanwhile, he said, a buyer-Seller meet will be organised in the state to provide an opportunity to cocoon producers to get a permanent and long term marketing facilities besides better prices to their produce, as the silk industry having a vast business potential is emerging as a job oriented sector in the state.

He said Minister for Agriculture and Sericulture, Abdul Aziz Zargar has asked the Director Sericulture to coordinate explore the ways for setting up a Common Facility Centre and Silk Park in the state so that cocoon producers can get better marketing facilities and adequate prices of their products.

He said the minister is also concerned over the availability of smuggled china silk in the market which has considerably affected the price line of the local products.

Mr Zargar asked officials to take necessary measures to check smuggling of china silk into the country.

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