Srinagar, September 11(Scoop News)-JK Minister for Agriculture, Ghulam Hassan Mir Wednesday visited the Silk Cocoon Auction Market set up by the Sericulture Department at Srinagar to facilitate selling and buying of local silk cocoons.
Cocoon producers from Pattan, Tangmarg, Bandipora, Sonawari, Budgam, Srinagar, Ganderbal, Kangan and Tral have brought their produce for selling to this market, thronged by both local and outside State buyers. Similar auction markets have already been set up at various other places across the State.
With weavers receiving double the price for their produce this year in the auction market than last year, Mr Mir expressed his happiness with the upshot saying that it was due to the sustained efforts of the Government that both Silk Cocoon production and its quality has seen marked improvement, resulting in higher returns to the Silk weavers this year around.
Mir said last year per Kg price was around Rs 550, whereas we have seen this time around, it is selling anywhere between Rs 750 to Rs 1065 per Kg here depending upon the quality. The Sericulture Department has been facilitating selling and buying by roping in local as well as outside buyers and setting up Cocoon auction markets, he added.
Mir said Silk Cocoon rearing is turning out to be a profitable and viable option for farmers as Government is extending assistance through various incentives, technological inputs and guidance in this regard. As many as 2000 families are associated with this trade which has grown to Rs 20 cr from Rs 5 cr last year, he said.
The Minister said assistance is also being provided to local Silk reeling units through loans and other incentives which will be carried forward for the benefit of both the farmers and local unit holders.“We are also looking into providing market support to local reeling units so that an integrated Silk Industry flourishes in the State” he maintained.
During the Visit to the auction market, the Minister was also accompanied by Director Sericulture and other officers.
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