Director Poonch Campus Plays Key Role in Silk Industry Development Program

Director Poonch Campus, Prof Rakesh Vaid, took a significant role in the one-day Technical Upgradation Program titled "Schemes for the Development of Silk Industry." The event, organized by Silk Technical Service Center, CSTRI, Central Silk Board, Miran Sahib Jammu, in collaboration with J&K Sericulture Development Department, aimed at benefitting cocoon producers, reelers, and weavers.

The Technical Upgradation Program witnessed a distinguished lineup of guests, including Chief Guest Dr. Vikas Gupta, Director of Handicraft and Handloom, Jammu Division, Special Guest Dr. Rakesh Vaid, Director University of Jammu, and Guest of Honour Shri Ashwani Kumar Sharma, Additional Director, Sericulture Development Department (SDD).

Director Poonch Campus, Dr. Rakesh Vaid, emphasized the importance of testing services, training programs, and Central Government schemes for students and industry beneficiaries. He praised the initiatives of Silk Technical Service Center, Central Silk Board Jammu, and highlighted their efforts in uplifting silk farmers, entrepreneurs, and artisans.

Mr. N. S. Gahlot, Scientist-D/Zonal Officer STSC, CSTRI Central Silk Board Jammu, presented valuable insights during the program. He outlined the progress made in silk cocoon quality and yarns under the Silk Samagra Scheme-II, focusing on developing diversified products through collaboration with handloom weavers and artisans.

The event showcased various aspects of silk production, from handloom weaving to the potential for profit through silk yarn blends like silk-wool and silk-cotton. Participants were encouraged to explore the available subsidies for machinery, emphasizing the opportunity to create value-added diversified products aligned with market demand.

In his address, Dr. Vikas Gupta highlighted the extensive training provided in handicrafts and handloom over the past two years. He praised the collaboration between the scientists of the silk technical service center and their technical teams in the development of handloom.

Special Guest Shri Ashwani Kumar Sharma urged people to leverage the schemes under HADP and Silk Samagra-II. He emphasized the need for skill development programs at the district level with the assistance of the Central Silk Board.

The technical upgradation program saw the participation of over 100 entrepreneurs, reelers, weavers, artisans, and officials from both state and central offices. The role of Director Poonch Campus, Prof Rakesh Vaid, in promoting the development of silk industry was pivotal, contributing to the success of the event.

In conclusion, Shri Bharat Bhushan, Senior Technical Assistant, extended gratitude to all participants and invited them for a working lunch, followed by a technical session and question-answer session in the conference hall of SDD, Govt. of J&K, Jammu.