Govt organizes marketing facilities for silk cocoons farmers
Srinagar/Jammu: A meeting of officers was convened at the Department of Sericulture to discuss and chalk out strategy for hassle free marketing of silk cocoons in the backdrop of Covid-19 pandemic prevalent in the valley.
The meeting decided to kick start the marketing by establishing a cocoon auction market within the premises of Directorate of Sericulture, Tulsi Bagh Srinagar with effect from 21st of September, 2020 for the farmers of District Budgam, Bandipora, Srinagar, Ganderbal and Baramulla.
It was informed that the marketing of cocoons in respect of other districts shall be conducted in their respective districts as per the cocoon auction market calendar.
The prices for A and B grade silk cocoons have been fixed at the rate of Rs. 975 and Rs.675 respectively after taking Jammu Kashmir Industries-(JKI) on board being potentially the main buyer of the produce.
It was given out that all Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) related to the Covid-19 shall be followed in letter and spirit during the Cocoon Auction Market.
It was further informed that the department shall allow participation of a limited number of cocoon growers in the market in view of pandemic.
Meanwhile, with the government intervention amid the Covid pandemic and absence of the outside buyers, the cocoon growers have also been provided marketing facilities in Jammu.
The government move has made sustenance of thousands of cocoon rearing families possible in the Pir Panchal region as well.
According to Director Sericulture J&K, Manzoor Ahmad Qadiri, over 40,000 kg of cocoons (Green), valuing more than Rs 1.50 crore, has been procured at Sunderbani market of the Department by Government through Jammu and Kashmir Industries Ltd. till yesterday.
He informed that due to keen interest shown by Principal Secretary to Government, Agriculture Production Department, Navin K. Choudhary, for promoting cocoon rearing in the UT which is famous for producing unique Bivoltine Silk Cocoons of international grades in the county, a series of measures are in the pipeline, of which facilitation /assured marketing for the people associated with the trade is the prime importance.
Realizing the importance of Sericulture for inclusive development of rural populace especially the weaker section a proactive approach for marketing in association with JKI was taken under the guidance of Navin K. Choudhary to provide marketing support during the present situation as arrangements of forward and backward linkages within the UT itself where presently more than 70% of the cocoon produced goes outside.
The Director Sericulture informed that presently Cocoon Marketing facilities for the growers of Jammu province are being conducted through Additional Director, Sericulture Rajinder Kumar Bhagat, who has been nominated as Nodal Officer for coordination and liasioning with buyers both outside and local as well as arrangements for procurements through JKI . He said that the process will be started for Kashmir Division soon where marketing plans for both spring as well as autumn crop have been finalized in the meeting with the District Officers of the province.
KV News
