DW BUREAU / CHANDIGARH

Punjab's only sericulture silk seed grainage center in Dalhousie (Himachal Pradesh), which had been closed for the past 15 years, has been reopened with the concerted efforts of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab government.

Horticulture Minister S. Chetan Singh Jouramajra today visited the government sericulture silk seed grainage center, reviewed the site and issued necessary instructions to the officials to start the operations.

The Horticulture Minister stated, "previous dispensations had neglected this valuable asset of the state of Punjab, but Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann has decided to reopen this center", mentioning that an initial installment of Rs.14 lakh has been approved for this center, which will enable the preparation of silk seed grains starting in September and to be provided to the farmers at affordable prices.

S. Jouramajra informed that Dalhousie's environment is highly suitable for silk seed production and the reopening of this center will directly benefit about 1500 farmers of Punjab's Kandi area. He added that farmers of the districts of Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Hoshiarpur and Ropar will benefit from this center.

The Cabinet Minister noted that previously, the department provided silk seeds to silkworm rearers from Central Silk Board centers, but with the reopening of this silk seed center in Dalhousie, the Punjab government will be able to produce its own silk seeds, which will further enable to provide the silk seeds to silkworm rearers at reduced transportation costs.

"With the start of the operations of sate's own silk seed grainage center, silk seed production will be increased, which will further boost silk production in the state", said the Cabinet Minister, adding that more farmers, particularly women, can be involved in this sector.

S. Chetan Singh Jouramajra also highlighted that the Sericulture Wing is a crucial part of the Horticulture Department, which not only promotes silk production in the state but also provides employment to poor silkworm rearers in the border areas. The Cabinet Minister said that he has directed the Director Horticulture to provide all necessary technical and financial support to silkworm rearers under various schemes to maximize silk production in the state and improve the social and economic status of poor farmers.

During this visit, the Cabinet Minister was accompanied by Hardeep Singh Deputy Director Horticulture, Jatinder Kumar Horticulture Development Officer, Avtar Singh Manager, Sukhveer Singh Sericulture Promotion Officer and other officials.
(editor@dailyworld.in)