The Sericulture Development Department, Jammu and Kashmir, on Monday flagged off a group of progressive silkworm rearers for a 10-day exposure visit to Karnataka under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) 2026-27.
The exposure visit was flagged off by Director Sericulture J&K, Ajaz Ahmad Bhat, as part of the department’s efforts to strengthen the sericulture sector and equip farmers with modern technologies and scientific practices.
Organised in collaboration with the Central Silk Board (CSB), Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, the programme aims to expose participating farmers to advanced sericulture techniques and successful production models adopted in Karnataka.
The tour, which will continue until August 12, includes visits to leading sericulture institutions and commercial establishments in Bengaluru, Ramanagara, Sidlaghatta and Mysuru. During the visit, the farmers will gain first-hand experience of modern silk farming practices through visits to cocoon auction markets, private silk reeling units, Automatic Reeling Machine (ARM) facilities, research and training institutes. They will also interact with scientists, technical experts and progressive entrepreneurs associated with the silk industry.
The programme is designed to familiarise participants with scientific methods of mulberry cultivation, silkworm rearing, seed production, cocoon marketing, disease management, silk reeling and value addition. The department expects the exposure to help farmers adopt commercially viable practices that improve cocoon quality, productivity and incomes in Jammu and Kashmir.
Speaking on the occasion, Director Sericulture Ajaz Ahmad Bhat said exposure visits play a crucial role in bridging the gap between traditional farming methods and modern technologies.
He urged the participants to make the most of the opportunity by closely observing best practices followed in Karnataka and sharing the knowledge gained with other silkworm rearers after their return.
Bhat reiterated the department’s commitment to strengthening the sericulture sector through capacity building, technology transfer and continuous extension support to farmers.
The participating farmers thanked the Sericulture Development Department and the Jammu and Kashmir Government for providing them with the opportunity. They expressed confidence that the practical exposure would help improve their farming practices and encourage wider adoption of scientific sericulture techniques across the Union Territory.
The department said it remains committed to promoting scientific sericulture and transforming Jammu and Kashmir into a leading producer of high-quality bivoltine silk through sustained technological interventions, skill development and farmer-centric initiatives.
