Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 8: To encourage the farming community to adopt silkworm rearing as a subsidiary occupation, Government enhanced the support price for sale of cocoon crop in the State.
The price for dry cocoon has been increased from Rs 210 to Rs 300 per kg while green seed Cocoons from Rs 150 to Rs 200 per kg. The enhancement was made by Minister of State for Agriculture Production, Ghulam Hassan Mir, after a period of more than 10 years.
During the 12th Plan period with the efforts made by the department under the guidance of Minister for Agriculture Production, the cost of plantation of mulberry plants through farmers in cluster has been increased from Rs 3500 to Rs 5500 for 300 plants while cost of construction of rearing house has been increased from Rs 50000 to Rs 75000.
In Jammu province, during spring, late spring and summer 2013, the department distributed 17924 ounces of silkworm seed to 198481 silkworm rearers in various districts of the province. An increase of 568 farmers has been registered during 2013-14, as against 18913 in the previous year.
For enhancing the cocoon production, the department will conduct 4th silkworm rearing .ie. rearing during Autumn season in the province by distributing about 2500 ounces of silkworm seed.
Further for raising of exotic mulberry varieties plantation in temperate zones of the province like Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban districts, the department has introduced plantation in Green Poly houses and for the purpose, nine poly houses have been set up in the districts.
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