India:Govt ready to boost sericulture in Nagaland
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2009-03-04 14:44:00
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The renowned Resham (silk) Krishi Mela touched down in Nagaland for the first time today at Town Hall, Dimapur. Organized by the Central Silk Board under the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, the mela is organized in a bid to encourage farmers in the north east to take up sericulture farming especially mulberry cultivation and silkworm rearing.
Sericulture in Nagaland, though not a new practice has declined over the years especially mulberry cultivation owing to financial and technological constrains, officials from the Department of Sericulture, Government of Nagaland informed. However, they expressed hope that the mela, which is being jointly organized by the Regional Sericulture Research Station, Jorhat, will improve the conditions of farmers which can help them generate more income through sericulture. Mehozu Mekro, Director of sericulture department said that Nagaland has suitable climatic conditions for various kinds of silks and that the state has currently 5 extension centres for mulberry cultivation. He however expressed certain drawbacks due to which mulberry cultivation has declined.
The state currently produces only 70 to 80 kilos of silk worm cocoons and mulberry cultivators have declined from 1100 to just 163 farmers in Nagaland. Other department officials also suggested that the focus should be shifted from the common mulberry rearing to the already existing ones in Nagaland in order to boost production. They also urged the research station to assist farmers in Nagaland in this regard.
Commissioner and Secretary for Sericulture, Thangi Manen appreciated the efforts of the Central Silk Board to help farmers and pointed out that Nagaland is now ready to take up sericulture and make it a thriving industry. She said it will also boost the economy of the state and generate more income for farmers. Manen also urged farmers to focus on not just selling yearns but also make efforts to including weaving with the use of latest technologies.
The one day mela was attended by resources persons from the Regional Research Station, officials from the sericulture department, deputy commissioner of Dimapur and Parliamentary Secretary, Saku Aier as the chief guest. The resources persons later had an interactive session with farmers who attended the mela from other parts of the region.
Source:Industry Website