To promote Kashmir's centuries-old cottage industry and to make farmers self-sufficient, specialists and educators hosted a one-day capacity development workshop for the sericulture producers. Sericulture specialists, farmers, academics, and university students attended the workshop, which was jointly organised by the University of Kotli and the Azad Jammu and Kashmir State Department of Sericulture.

The department extends a number of facilities to farmers such as giving out free silk seeds, associated equipment, and technological know-how. Director of Sericulture Syed Ali Asghar Shah explained to the attendees that sericulture is a traditional cottage business that can provide additional revenue to farmers, particularly women.

Professionals in the sericulture sector, including Sericulture Development Officer Ahsan Manzoor, Assistant Sericulture Development Officer and Entomologist Rizwan Ullah Khan, explained how silk rearing may help sericulture farmers achieve financial independence. Women have already been provided training in sericulture in several regions of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, including Khuiratta, Chinari, Sudhanoti, Panag Sharif, and Bagh.

Participants from the National Rural Support Programme and Akhuwat, a non-profit organisation, also attended the event to offer sericulture farmers financial support if needed. Kotli University Vice Chancellor Dr. Mushtaq Sajid informed that sericulture education began at the university about 30 years ago. The workshop was also participated by Kotli University's Acting Vice Chancellor, Director AJK Sericulture Department, Dean Faculty of Basic & Applied Sciences, Chairman of the Department of Zoology, Assistant Professor of Zoology, Assistant Professor of Biotechnology, and lecturers of Zoology.

Credit : Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk