Anantnag, Sep 5: A Farmer-Scientist Interaction Meeting was organised at Kokarnag under the Mera Resham Mera Abhimaan (MRMA) 2.0 Campaign, with the objective of strengthening the interface between farmers, scientists and implementing agencies and promoting sustainable growth of the sericulture sector in the region.

The programme was attended by Sh. Gh. Nabi Mir, Additional Director, Kashmir, Sericulture Development Department (SDD), J&K and Nodal Officer for the UT under MRMA 2.0. Dr. Aftab Ahmad Shabnam, Scientist-D, CSB-Central Sericultural Research & Training Institute (CSR&TI), Pampore and Institute Nodal Officer for North India, and Dr. Jarpala Mounika, Scientist-B, Central Silk Board, along with officers and officials of the Central Silk Board and Sericulture Development Department, J&K, participated in the interaction.
During the meeting, farmers actively interacted with the scientists and officials and discussed a wide range of issues covering the entire sericulture production chain, from silkworm seed production and supply to silkworm rearing, mulberry leaf availability, cocoon production and post-cocoon activities. The technical team addressed the concerns raised by the farmers and provided suitable guidance on scientific practices for improving productivity, quality and profitability.
The farmers were also apprised of various schemes, programmes and institutional support mechanisms available for development of the sericulture sector, with emphasis on making optimum use of government interventions and technical support. Special attention was given to the utilisation of sericulture by-products and waste, with the objective of generating additional income and promoting a more sustainable and circular sericulture production system.
A significant outcome of the interaction was the keen interest shown by farmers in taking up sericulture as a community-based activity. The farmers expressed their willingness to form and strengthen Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in the area and work collectively to undertake sericulture-related activities, facilitate access to schemes and inputs, share resources and technologies, and derive greater economic benefits from the sector.
The interaction provided an important platform for identifying field-level challenges, strengthening farmer-scientist linkages and developing a coordinated approach for further expansion of sericulture in the Kokarnag area.
The programme concluded with the enthusiastic raising of the slogans “Mera Resham, Mera Abhimaan”, with farmers reaffirming their commitment to work collectively for the promotion and development of sericulture in the region.