Director Sericulture reviews late autumn rearing and crop improvement laboratory at Mirgund

Srinagar, October 19: The Autumn Silk Cocoon Auction Market for Kashmir Division commenced at the Sericulture Complex in Srinagar on Monday, providing cocoon growers with an organised platform to sell their produce through a transparent and competitive auction process.

The market was inaugurated by Director Sericulture J&K, Ajaz Ahmad Bhat, IAS, in the presence of departmental officers, cocoon growers from various districts of Kashmir and buyers from within and outside the Union Territory.

The initiative aims to strengthen marketing facilities, improve direct linkages between growers and buyers, and ensure a more organised and remunerative system for the sericulture community.

The participation of buyers from different regions is expected to encourage competition, expand market access and help local growers secure better returns for their produce.

The auction platform also enables growers to interact directly with buyers and market their cocoons through a transparent mechanism, forming part of the department’s broader strategy to strengthen the sericulture value chain, from silkworm seed production and cocoon rearing to marketing and silk production.

The initiative is also expected to support rural livelihoods and create sustainable economic opportunities for farming communities associated with sericulture.

Director reviews rearing activities at Mirgund

Later, Bhat visited the Central Organization for Training in Sericulture (COTS) at Mirgund to review the progress of Late Autumn Rearing 2026 and assess the functioning of the newly established Silkworm Crop Improvement Laboratory.

During the visit, he took stock of ongoing rearing activities and reviewed research and technological interventions aimed at improving silkworm productivity, strengthening breeding programmes and enhancing the performance of the sericulture sector in Jammu and Kashmir.

He also assessed the development and operationalisation of modern laboratory facilities established to advance research and crop improvement.

The Silkworm Crop Improvement Laboratory is intended to facilitate scientific experimentation, breeding studies, evaluation of silkworm genetic material and technology-based interventions to improve crop quality and productivity.

Emphasising the importance of research-driven development, the Director stressed the need to translate scientific advances into practical benefits for silkworm rearers and the wider sericulture community.

He underlined the significance of sustained efforts in research, germplasm conservation, breeding and adoption of improved rearing techniques to increase productivity, enhance cocoon quality and strengthen the competitiveness of Jammu and Kashmir’s sericulture sector.

The opening of the autumn cocoon auction market and the review of rearing activities and research infrastructure at COTS Mirgund reflect the department’s efforts to improve both the marketing and technological dimensions of sericulture.

Through improved market access, modern laboratory facilities and scientific crop improvement initiatives, the Sericulture Development Department is working to enhance cocoon production, support growers and promote the sector’s growth across Jammu and Kashmir.