Srinagar: A weeklong skill training programme on ‘Entrepreneurship Development in Sericulture’ commenced at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir’s College of Temperate Sericulture, Mirgund on Tuesday.
The skill training programme is being sponsored by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Govt. of India under the ESDP Scheme.
Associate Dean, CoTS, Prof MF Baqual in his welcome address, briefed the participants about various entrepreneurial opportunities in the sericulture industry viz. mulberry nursery raising, disinfection, chawki rearing units, custom-hire service centres, cocoon craft making and value addition through the processing of mulberry fruit. He also laid emphasis on the relevance of the programme keeping in view recent advances made in the field of Sericulture and the promise that adoption of these ventures in the shape of small startups holds in light of opportunities thrown open by MSME.
Prof Baqual, while expressing his gratitude to Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-K, Prof Nazir Ahmad Ganai for having taken a keen interest in the formulation of such programmes, stated that Seri-Enterprises could serve as an excellent mode for employment generation and transformation of the rural economy. He also thanked Prof Haroon Rashid Naik, Director, Planning and Monitoring for supporting the programme wholeheartedly. Dr KA Sahaf presented threw light on entrepreneurship development in sericulture. Besides participants, scientists from the different Divisions of the College attended the inaugural session. At last, Prof MF Baqual, congratulated Programme Coordinators, Dr Firdose Ahmad Malik, Assistant Professor and Dr Farhat Iqbal Qadri for facilitating the conduct of such programmes.
Under the Ministry of MSME-sponsored EDP scheme, SKUAST-K is holding 66 skill development and entrepreneurship training programmes for the youth of Kashmir.

KR Desk