VC inaugurates silk reeling, weaving unit

Tag : Weaving Equipment


Srinagar, June 20: Vice chancellor, SKUAST-K Prof Anwar Alaminaugurated a Silk Weaving Unit, which is the first of its kind inthe Indian Agricultural Universities.

The VC accompanied by Director Research Dr A R Trag visitedDivision of Sericulture, Mirgund on Wednesday to review teaching,research and extension activities being carried at the Divisionespecially the work on Silk Reeling and Weaving, an officialspokesman said.

By establishment of this Unit, the university has acquired capacityof assessing silk quality. The unit shall also pave way for manyreelers to have easy access to reeling and weaving equipment toenrich their knowledge in the field of silk. It would also motivatethem to take up value addition activities beyond cocoon production.

Dr Afifa S Kamili, Head of the Division and the scientists andother staff warmly received the Vice-Chancellor.

The team along with the Head of the Division and scientists laterhad a round of the experimental farm and saw the mulberryplantation laid down at the campus spread over an area of 28hectares of land and low cost cocoon production unit.

Vice-Chancellor, Director Research and Head of the Division alsoplanted saplings of the hybrid promising varieties of mulberryraces in the field launching transplantation of nursery raised.Vice-Chancellor also had an interactive session with the scientistsand staff.

HOD presented the research, teaching and extension activities andspecial attainments towards increasing cocoon productivity andpromotion of double cropping being carried out. Vice-Chancellorwhile speaking on the occasion appreciated the good work done bythe scientists and simultaneously exhorted upon them to come upwith the more creative research which people value and appreciate.He also advised them to mobilise their scientific acumen andintellect to seek more and more externally funded projects and tapthe research funds that are available in our country. Funds forhigher education are inadequate. In the present scenario researchfunds can be acquired through private sector if symbiosis iscreated with them. For public-private partnership the SericultureDivision is better placed. He also advised that wild mulberry whichhas little value in sericulture need to be removed for which legalways should be found. Dr. A.R. Trag. Director Research whilespeaking highlighted the landmark achievements made in thesericulture sector during the last 25 years of its existence andexhorted upon the scientists to come up with the new mulberryvarieties. He emphasized on increasing productivity.