The Central Silk Board (CSB), Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, conducted a Technology Demonstration Programme at Rajwal Village, Hoshiarpur, Punjab, under its flagship Mera Resham Mera Abhimaan (MRMA) 2.0 campaign. The programme was organized by CSB-Regional Sericultural Research Station (RSRS), Miran Sahib, Jammu, under CSR&TI Pampore, in coordination with the Sericulture Wing, Department of Horticulture, Hoshiarpur, Punjab.

Around 35 farmers, including progressive sericulture farmers, participated in the programme. The programme aimed to disseminate improved sericulture technologies and promote the adoption of scientific practices for enhancing silkworm health, cocoon quality and productivity.

A major component of the programme was the Technology Demonstration on improved silkworm rearing and mulberry management practices. Dr. Rubia Bukhari, Scientist-B, CSB-CSR&TI Pampore (RSRS Miran Sahib, Jammu), demonstrated and explained various recommended practices related to scientific silkworm rearing, feeding management, bed cleaning, environmental management, hygienic practices, disease prevention and management and measures for improving cocoon quality. The farmers were also shown and explained suitable mulberry management practices, including timely pruning and proper utilization of quality mulberry leaves.

Special emphasis was given to preventive and hygienic measures in silkworm rearing, including regular bed cleaning, maintenance of suitable temperature and humidity, sanitation of the rearing house and early identification of disease symptoms. The importance of timely and adequate feeding and proper rearing management for maintaining healthy silkworm crops and obtaining quality cocoons was also explained.

As part of the programme, pruning saws were distributed among the participating farmers to facilitate timely and efficient mulberry pruning and other essential field management operations. The farmers were explained the importance of timely pruning for maintaining healthy mulberry plants and ensuring the availability of quality mulberry leaves for silkworm rearing.

An interactive farmer-scientist session was also held, during which farmers shared their field experiences and raised queries related to silkworm rearing, mulberry cultivation, disease management and productivity enhancement. The queries were addressed by the CSB scientists and officials of the Sericulture Wing through need-based technical guidance.

The programme was conducted under the coordination of Dr. Rubia Bukhari, Scientist-B, with the support of Punjab State Nodal Officer, Sh. Dalbir Singh and District Nodal Officer, Hoshiarpur, Sh. Balwinder Singh. Sh. Maninder Pal Singh and Sh. Inderjeet Singh, both Sarpanchs and renowned progressive farmers from Hoshiarpur district, attended the programme as guests. Sh. Karamjeet Singh, Sericulture Promotion Officer and Sh. Sarbjit Singh, Senior Technical Assistant, CSB-RSRS Jammu, were also present and interacted with the participating farmers on various aspects of sericulture development.

The programme concluded with a commitment to promote scientific, hygienic and sustainable sericulture practices and encourage wider adoption of improved technologies under MRMA 2.0, with the aim of enhancing productivity, cocoon quality and livelihood opportunities for the sericulture farming community in Hoshiarpur district.

 

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