Sericulture Development Department

The Sericulture Development Department, Bandipora plays a vital role in promoting mulberry cultivation, Silkworm rearing, and cocoon production across the District. With a network of Departmental nurseries and farms spread over different zones, the department ensures a steady supply of quality mulberry saplings / plants to farmers. At present, Bandipora district has several mulberry nurseries including Ayatmulla, Mantrigam, Watapora, Dangerpora, Sonmerteng, Vijpara, and also mulberry Blocks comprising of C.A.Khan, Dawar, Bagtoor, Tarabal, Hajin collectively covering more than 533 kanals of land under mulberry cultivation.

The department actively supports 813 silkworm-rearing families and facilitates annual cocoon production of around 33 MT, contributing significantly to the local economy. By providing technological intervention, skill upgradation, and participatory extension support, it helps farmers improve productivity and quality of cocoon yield.

The primary objectives of the department are to uplift the economic conditions of the downtrodden people, make silkworm rearing commercially viable, encourage multiple cocoon crop rearing, and enhance bivoltine silk production in the district. It also focuses on creating market avenues for cocoon disposal and introducing new schemes such as assistance for rearing houses and development of mulberry

Plantations at the grassroots level.

Through these initiatives, the Sericulture Development Department, Bandipora, is not only safeguarding the traditional practice of sericulture but also modernizing it to create sustainable livelihoods and strengthen the silk industry in the region.

FUNCTION OF DEPARTMENT

The Sericulture Development Department, Bandipora, carries out the following key functions:

1. Mulberry Cultivation: – Establishing and maintaining departmental nurseries to supply quality mulberry saplings / plants.
2. Silkworm Rearing Support: – Providing technical guidance, rearing houses, and necessary inputs to farmers for effective silkworm rearing.
3. Cocoon Production & Marketing: – Enhancing both quality and quantity of cocoons, and creating market linkages for their disposal.
4. Skill Development & Training: – Conducting training programs and skill-upgradation workshops for farmers and rearers.
5. Technological Intervention: – Introducing modern techniques in mulberry plantation and silkworm rearing to increase productivity.
6. Extension Services: – Offering participatory extension support, regular field visits, and farmer awareness campaigns.
7. Livelihood Upliftment: – Generating employment opportunities and improving the economic conditions of downtrodden communities through sericulture.

4. EXHIBITIONS.

The Department also organizes exhibitions at district, state, and national levels to showcase the different stages of sericulture, including mulberry cultivation, silkworm rearing, cocoon production, reeling, and weaving. These exhibitions serve as an important platform for farmers, artisans, and entrepreneurs to display their products, exchange knowledge, and explore new market opportunities. In addition, the department has conducted exposure visits of farmers under HADP and Silk Samagra schemes, enabling them to learn from best practices in the field. Regular trainings and demonstrations under HADP / Silk Samagra are also organized to upgrade the skills of rearers, enhance productivity, and promote modern techniques of sericulture.

DETAILS OF ALL SCHEMES WITH BRIEF DESCRIPTION.