Uzair bin Farid

Academia and the government of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) have ramped up their collaborative efforts to revive the ancient sericulture cottage industry of the region. AJK State Department of Sericulture and the Department of Entomology of the University of Poonch have agreed to exchange technical expertise, research, data and best practices for the said purpose, an official from the University of Poonch told WealthPK. He said that the decision for mutual collaboration was taken during a training session held at the University of Poonch under the directions of the AJK Sericulture Department to train the farmers in the techniques of silk-worm rearing.

The training was attended by a large number of farmers, students and faculty of the university, and officials from the sericulture department. The event was addressed by many officials present, said the press release. One of them was the Dean of the University of Poonch, Rawalakot, Sardar Nasir Rahim, who said that “it is highly appreciable that the government and academia have joined hands to revive this ancient tradition and to provide livelihood opportunities for thousands of people.”

During the event, various officials of the sericulture department gave detailed presentations on the history of sericulture, its techniques, their evolution and their modern variants. Among those who gave presentations were Deputy Director of Sericulture Tahir Masoud, Entomologist Rizwan Ullah Khan, Assistant Director Fahad Keyani and ASDO Salaar Mehmood.

During the presentations, the role of mulberry plantations and their issues were also discussed. In addition, the diseases which afflicted silkworms and their remedial measures were elaborated upon by Dr Umer Ayyaz Shaikh, who serves as an Assistant Professor at the Department of Entomology of the University of Poonch. The farmers who participated in the meeting also shared their experiences and expectations for the future of silkworm rearing. They collectively appreciated the efforts of the AJK sericulture department to train 1500 farmers.

Addressing the concluding session of the event, Director of AJK State Sericulture Department Syed Ali Asghar Shah said, “collaboration between Department of Sericulture and University of Poonch will be very beneficial for the farmers as well as the future of sericulture industry in the State.” He added, “the climate of the valley is perfectly suited for mulberry plantations and therefore it is important that this industry is promoted through every effort possible.” Authorities of both the public institutions will soon sign an MoU to enhance collaboration.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk