AgriBiz
Kashmir’s only rabbit farm seeks to popularise cuniculture among valleyities
Malik Nisar
Syed Jesarat
Wussan, Baramulla: To popularise rabbit farming for augmenting meat and fur production and providing a healthy alternative to mutton for voracious meat-eaters of Kashmir, the J&K Government established Angora Rabbit Farm in 1979 at the Wussan village of Baramulla district.
Though, the rabbit meat has failed to satiate the taste buds of Kashmiri people as the project did not witness much commercial success. However, due to the recent rising trend of pet keeping in Kashmir, the farm has become a centre of attraction. Rabbit rearing has become the most popular hobby among pet lovers, particularly children, and teenagers.
Run by the Sheep Husbandry Department, the only rabbit breeding farm of Kashmir and probably the biggest in North India sprawls on six hectares of land. About 30 km from Srinagar, the Angora Rabbit Farm is home to several rabbit varieties and breeds imported from different countries. Even new species are regularly brought in either from foreign or from various states of the country.
Presently, seven rabbit species breed in the Angora Rabbit Farm: Californian White, New Zealand White, Angora German, Angora French, Grey Giant, Black Brown and Soviet Chinchilla. Different breeds have different qualities. While the Angora is considered a well-known breed for fur and wool, Grey Giant and others are best known for providing quality meat. Similarly, people prefer to buy the Russian Chinchilla and German Angora for keeping them as pets.
Around 1800-2000 rabbits rear in five sheds of the farm at Wussan. Presently there are 1200 rabbits, both kits and adults, on the farm. These rabbits are available on sale around the year. However, during the winter, the number goes down to 500-600. As the breeding stops during the winter season due to extreme cold.
“During the winters, a rabbit needs extra care, which is also the reason that less number keeps for December, January and February, the harshest three months. The breeding commences again in March when the weather improves,” says Dr Sheikh Ishrat Mahmood, who works as an Assistant Director with the Sheep Husbandry Department and is the present caretaker of the farm.
According to the official website of the Sheep Husbandry Department, the farm was started with the 60 New Zealand White rabbits purchased from Gharsa, Himachal Pradesh. The aim was to popularise the consumption of rabbit meat as a substitute for sheep and goat meat among the general masses and create a new avenue of employment for the youth. While the rabbit meat evinced week response among the public, high demand for rabbit wool and fur could not generate much enthusiasm among the entrepreneurs for establishing their private units. This limited the scope of the farm.
At present, rabbits in Kashmir have only three uses. Youngsters rear them as pets, researchers use them as guinea pigs, and some people with cardiac problems eat them as rabbit meat is considered lean and white with high nutritious value.
However, in recent years rearing them as pets have become very popular across Kashmir. While the cute and fluffy rabbits are liked by one and all, in the traditional homes, they have much more acceptability as compared to dogs and cats, who are mostly considered unclean animals.
“Besides slaughter purpose, we sell rabbits to pet shop owners, as well as, researchers from GMC and SKUAST-K, who try vaccines and drugs on them,” says Dr Ishrat.
Last year the farm revenue from the rabbit sales was Rs 6 lakh. According to the farm officials, the sale figure has grown considerably. “Though from last few years, rabbit rearing as pets is gaining popularity across Kashmir, but we want more and more people to know about the farm,” says Dr Ishrat.
“Rabbit farming is very profitable, and one enjoys doing it. It is a great business idea with huge employment generation potential. Only thing is that we need to create more and more awareness,” he says.
A research scholar of livestock production and management from NDRA, Dr Ishfaq Jamal, writes that there is tremendous scope for poverty alleviation and improving the living standards of small and marginal farmers through the profitable enterprise of cuniculture.
Cuniculture is the agricultural practise of breeding and raising domestic rabbits as livestock for their meat, fur, wool or pelt. “Rabbit fanciers and hobbyists also employ cuniculture for the development and betterment of rabbit breeds and the exhibition of their efforts. Scientists practice cuniculture in the use and management of rabbits as model organisms in research. Cuniculture has been practised all over the world since at least the 5th century.”
According to Dr Ishfaq, there is immense scope for rabbit farming in Kashmir, as the climatic conditions of J&K and Himachal Pradesh are almost similar. The government of HP has promoted rabbit farming along with sheep farming and obtained good results in hilly areas, he writes.
“If properly planned and promoted, rabbit farming can turn into a multi-crore industry soon. There is a need of a proper policy framework, planning as well as collaboration between the Departments of Animal and Sheep Husbandry, agricultural universities and related institutions for framing a composite policy to promote rabbit farming,” says Dr Ishfaq in a newspaper column.
Feeding and rearing of rabbits at Wussan Farm
When it comes to the feeding of rabbits at the Wussan Farm, proper care is taken. The rabbits are fed with nutritious food such as greens, turnips, carrots, cabbage leaves. Rabbits drink clean drinking water twice a day. The feeding items are different for the winter and summer seasons. In the summer season, only greens are given to rabbits, while in the winter season, chopped vegetables are provided as well. Most of the food items are grown within the farm area itself such as radish and carrots. Rabbits are also fed with pellets in addition to greens and vegetables. Kits are fed half of what adults are given.
“We have an agriculture farm here as well where we grow fodder for rabbits,” says Dr Irfan Magray, the farm manager and veterinary doctor.
Random eating is avoided for the proper growth and good health of the rabbit.
Rabbits are reared mainly for three purposes – domestication as pets, research models (guinea pigs) and consumption.
“Rabbits can produce many kits at a time unlike other animals, which is what makes it very good economically,” says Dr Irfan Magray.
Rabbit is known for its fast multiplication, short gestation period of about 32 days and a litter size of about 6-8. So out of a small unit one can have 4-5 crops annually, so from a small unit, one can get hundreds of kindlings per year. Also, its constant state of reproduction, rapid growth and early maturity adds to its high biological potential.
“We usually keep the parental stock with us and give the kits,” he adds.
Young single rabbits are sold within the price range from ₹200 – ₹800, depends upon the breed, where Grey Giant, Black Brown, Soviet Chinchilla costs ₹200 per rabbit and New Zealand White, California White sells for ₹300 per rabbit whereas Angora breed is sold at ₹500 per piece. The pair is sold from 1000 or above.
Rabbits are sold to customers which in turn start their venture at a smaller level for rearing purposes. “I visit the farm often and take rabbits for my venture,” says Gulam Nabi Sofi from Khaag, Budgam. “For a pet lover, this is the best place to visit,” he adds.
“The farm has different breeds and I had taken many rabbits from them, I keep rabbits as pets,” says another customer from Srinagar. “The farm has maintained all sort of hygiene practices and every staff member is cooperative,” he further says.
“The best sellers among the rabbits have always been Angora rabbits, as they are famous for their wool, which is considered second best after pashmina,” says Dr Ishrat.
The life expectancy of a rabbit is 5-6 years. “The mortality rate of the rabbits has come down from 10-12% to 4.5% since last three years,” he adds.
Around 18 employees are working on the farm: 10 technical staff and eight helpers. Each one of them is strictly looking at the management of the farm and rabbit farming.
“This farm is only of its kind in the whole J&K,” says Dr Ishrat.
Talking about the plan ahead, Dr Ishrat says now they want to open units of the farm at various parts to avoid third-party interface. “We have sent a request to the higher authority to open up the farm units at different places where we have high acceptability of the rabbits,” says Dr Ishrat.
In addition to this, the rabbit farm intends to do training programmes and attract more youth towards rabbit farming. The farm display, its stall at Kisan Melas as well. “We can also help the\youth by giving them employment and also technical know-how free of cost,” says Dr Ishrat.
“The rabbit farming has a great scope in the Valley but awareness is needed, we do as much publicity as we can.”
“The funds the farm gets are not sufficient for infrastructure,” Dr Ishrat. “We want to attract more customers, but we lack funds,” he adds.
The medical supervision of the rabbits is planned in accordance with the help they need. “Usually, we do flock treatment but if someone needs individual treatment, we give full attention to it, we give them anti cognizant drugs with water if needed,” says Dr Irfan.
Rabbit farming is a lucrative business, which demands attention from the government as well as the individual level.
Dr Asima Amin Dr Baseerat Afroza Naveed Hamid
In a world grappling with the challenges of population growth, environmental sustainability, and a shifting focus towards healthier lifestyles, the potential of vegetable science in startups emerges as a beacon of transformative innovation. The intersection of agriculture, technology, and health has given rise to a myriad of opportunities for entrepreneurs to revolutionize the way we cultivate, consume, and benefit from vegetables.
As global consciousness veers towards sustainable practices and healthier food choices, startups delving into vegetable science are poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our food systems. This introduction seeks to explore the diverse avenues where startups can harness the power of vegetable science to address pressing issues such as food security, nutritional health, and environmental impact.
From leveraging cutting-edge technologies in agriculture to developing novel plant-based food products, the potential applications of vegetable science are vast and impactful. This exploration encompasses not only the traditional aspects of farming and crop management but also delves into the realms of biotechnology, food technology and sustainable business practices.
We will delve into specific domains where startups can thrive, exploring how innovation in vegetable science can drive change in agribusiness, food technology, health and wellness, sustainability, and more. The goal is to unveil the untapped potential that lies within the realm of vegetable science, inspiring entrepreneurs, investors, and stakeholders to contribute to a more sustainable, nutritious, and equitable future.
As we embark on this journey through the fertile landscape of vegetable science in startups, envision a world where the humble vegetable becomes a catalyst for transformative change, not only in our diets but in the very fabric of how we approach agriculture, technology, and the well-being of our planet.
STARTUP AREAS
Vegetable science can play a significant role in startups across various sectors, ranging from agriculture and food technology to health and sustainability. Here are some potential areas where vegetable science can contribute to startup innovations:
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Ag-Tech Startups:
- Precision Farming: Utilize technology, sensors and data analytics to optimize vegetable cultivation, ensuring efficient resource use and higher yields.
- Vertical Farming: Develop indoor farming solutions using controlled environments, allowing year-round vegetable production in urban areas.
- Biotechnology: Explore genetic modification and breeding techniques to enhance the nutritional content, disease resistance,and overall quality of vegetables.
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Food Technology:
- Plant-Based Alternatives: Create innovative plant-based products using vegetables to meet the growing demand for vegetarian and vegan options.
- Food Preservation: Develop technologies for extending the shelf life of vegetables, reducing food waste, and ensuring freshness during transportation.
- Nutritional Enhancement: Explore methods to fortify vegetables with additional nutrients to address specific health concerns.
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Health and Wellness:
- Functional Foods: Develop vegetable-based products with specific health benefits, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant or immune-boosting properties.
- Nutraceuticals: Investigate the medicinal properties of vegetables and create supplements or health products based on their natural compounds.
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Sustainability:
- Circular Economy: Implement sustainable practices in vegetable production, such as recycling agricultural waste, utilizing organic fertilizers, and adopting eco-friendly packaging.
- Zero-Waste Solutions: Develop technologies to utilize every part of vegetables, minimizing waste and creating by-products for various applications.
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Smart Farming and IoT:
- Smart Sensors: Integrate sensors to monitor soil conditions, water levels, and plant health, allowing farmers to make data-driven decisions for optimized crop management.
- IoT in Supply Chain: Implement IoT technologies to track and monitor vegetables throughout the supply chain, ensuring quality, reducing losses, and enhancing traceability.
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Education and Consulting:
- Agribusiness Consulting: Startups can provide consultancy services to farmers on adopting modern vegetable cultivation techniques, sustainable practices, and technology integration.
- Educational Platforms: Develop online platforms to educate farmers, entrepreneurs, and consumers about the latest advancements in vegetable science, sustainable agriculture, and healthy eating.
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Community and Social Impact:
- Community Gardens: Startups can facilitate community-based vegetable gardens, promoting local produce, community engagement, and sustainable agriculture practices.
- Social Enterprises: Combine vegetable science with social impact by addressing issues like food insecurity, promoting fair trade, and supporting local farmers.
IMPACT OF STARTUPS IN VEGETABLE SCIENCE
The potential of vegetable science in startups offers a range of benefits that extend beyond economic success. These ventures can positively impact various sectors and address pressing global challenges. Here are some key benefits:
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Sustainable Agriculture:
- Resource Efficiency: Startups can develop technologies and practices that optimize resource use, such as water, fertilizers, and land, contributing to sustainable and environmentally friendly agriculture.
- Reduced Environmental Impact: By promoting organic farming, minimizing chemical pesticide use, and adopting eco-friendly practices, vegetable science startups can contribute to reducing the environmental footprint of agriculture.
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Innovation in Crop Management:
- Increased Yields: Precision farming technologies and genetic modifications can lead to higher crop yields, addressing the growing demand for food in a world with an expanding population.
- Disease Resistance: Genetic modifications can enhance the resistance of vegetables to pests and diseases, reducing the reliance on chemical pesticides and promoting healthier crops.
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Health and Nutrition:
- Improved Nutritional Content: Biotechnological advancements can be harnessed to enhance the nutritional content of vegetables, providing consumers with healthier and more nutrient-rich food options.
- Functional Foods: Startups focusing on functional foods can contribute to improved public health by developing vegetable-based products with specific health benefits.
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Economic Opportunities:
- Job Creation: The growth of vegetable science startups can lead to job creation across various sectors, including agriculture, technology, research, and product development.
- Market Expansion: Innovations in vegetable-based products can open up new markets and cater to the increasing demand for sustainable and plant-based alternatives.
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Food Security and Accessibility:
- Year-Round Production: Vertical farming and controlled environment agriculture enable year-round vegetable production, reducing dependence on seasonal harvests and improving food security.
- Localized Farming: Community-based initiatives and startups focused on local farming contribute to localized food production, reducing the need for extensive transportation and storage.
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Technological Advancements:
- Smart Farming: Integration of technology in agriculture, such as smart sensors and IoT devices, leads to more efficient and data-driven farming practices, improving overall productivity.
- Traceability and Transparency: Technologies for supply chain traceability enhance transparency in the food production process, building consumer trust and meeting the demand for ethically sourced products.
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Community Engagement and Social Impact:
- Community Empowerment: Initiatives like community gardens and social enterprises create opportunities for community engagement, fostering a sense of empowerment and ownership among local populations.
- Addressing Food Insecurity: Socially focused startups can play a role in addressing food insecurity by promoting sustainable and affordable vegetable production methods.
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Education and Awareness:
- Knowledge Dissemination: Educational platforms and consulting services contribute to disseminating knowledge about sustainable agriculture practices, technology adoption, and healthy eating habits.
- Empowering Farmers: Agribusiness consulting services empower farmers with the knowledge and tools to adopt modern practices, improving their livelihoods and the sustainability of their operations.
Conclusion
The potential of vegetable science in startups holds tremendous promise and presents exciting opportunities for innovation, sustainability, and societal impact. As the world grapples with challenges such as food security, environmental sustainability, and public health, leveraging the power of vegetable science can pave the way for transformative solutions.
Startups focusing on vegetable science can contribute significantly to agricultural advancements by developing resilient and high-yielding vegetable varieties through breeding techniques, genetic engineering and precision agriculture. This not only addresses global food demand but also aids in the conservation of resources, reduction of environmental impact, and mitigation of climate change.
Furthermore, the integration of cutting-edge technologies, such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and data analytics, into vegetable science can enhance crop monitoring, optimize resource utilization, and streamline supply chain processes. This not only increases efficiency but also opens new avenues for automation and smart farming practices.
The nutritional value of vegetables also plays a crucial role in promoting public health and wellness. Startups can explore innovative approaches to enhance the nutritional content of vegetables, develop functional foods, or create new plant-based products to meet the growing demand for healthy and sustainable diets.
Moreover, the rise of alternative protein sources, including plant-based proteins derived from vegetables, presents a unique opportunity for startups to contribute to the burgeoning market of sustainable protein options. By developing novel processing techniques and improving the taste and texture of plant-based products, these startups can cater to the increasing consumer preference for environmentally friendly and ethical food choices.
In Nutshell, the convergence of vegetable science, technology, and entrepreneurship holds the potential to revolutionize the agriculture and food industry. Startups that embrace this intersection can not only drive economic growth but also make significant contributions to addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing our planet. As the world continues to recognize the importance of sustainable and nutritious food systems, vegetable science startups stand at the forefront of creating a more resilient, efficient, and healthier future for all.
SKUAST K under the ambit of SKUAST K Innovation, Incubation & Entrepreneurship Centre is always ready to support new young minds or budding entrepreneurs who wish to start their enterprises or have some novel or great ideas to take it forward to convert them into minimum viable products or technologies in vegetable science field can come and take advantage of this Centre situated in SKUAST K main campus Shalimar.
The authors are faculty at SKUAST-K
Jasmeena Qadir
Naveed Hamid
Grassroots innovations for better sericulture. Innovation means addressing a new idea, technique or solution to a problem to enhance the efficacy and durability of a system. In agriculture, innovations are the new products, techniques, or strategies developed by research scholars, farmers or organizations to maintain the sustainability of agriculture for its contribution to food security, economic development and natural resource management (FAO, 2019). Sericulture is an agro-based industry that deals with the rearing of silkworms for the production of silk. Sericulture is the greatest labour-intensive sector of the Indian economy and offers a source of livelihood to a major part of the population by providing profitable self-employment to farmers and their families. It requires low investment, a short gestation period with greater income returns and self-employment for small and marginal farmers.
It is regarded as both, an art and science which involves three major components viz., mulberry cultivation, silkworm rearing and post-cocoon processing. It comprises of a series of on-farm and off-farm activities and generates a lot of by-products from each activity directly or indirectly. Sericulture byproducts are developed as alternative options to the food industry, drug system biomedical engineering and textiles. Silkworm pupa being proteinaceous has a wide range of applications in dietetics, animal food, cosmetics and fertilizers (Jaiswal et al., 2020). Sericulture is inter-connected and inter-related with agricultural crops viz., biogas production, livestock production, aquaculture, horticulture etc. Wastes in sericulture are generated in bulk in each activity and can be exploited for biofuel, biogas, livestock production and mushroom cultivation. Seri- bio waste viz., surplus leaf, bed-refuse from silkworm rearing activity can be used for cattle and sheep fodder. The integrated system of sericulture farming with agriculture and other allied fields stimulates maximum exploitation of bio-resources of each system with the reduction in its adverse effects on the environment. Nothing is a waste in sericulture and can be potentially exploited in other sectors which promotes sustainable development and prosperity of small enterprises of other sectors. Sericulture fulfills the employment to 8.8 million people in India (CSB report, 2023) and identified by researchers and policymakers as a potential hub for socio-economic development.
INNOVATIONAL INTERVENTION IN DIFFERENT SECTORS OF SERICULTURE
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Mulberry cultivation:
Mulberry is propagated mainly through stem cuttings. The manual preparation for cuttings requires many skilled labors. The cutting preparation machine which makes 1400-1500 cuttings in one hour has been developed by CSRTI Mysore. Mulberry leaf harvest and disposal at the place where silkworm rearing is being conducted is time consuming and laborious process. Mulberry plant cutter” which uses a holder to hold the plant and a cutter to cut the plant has been developed. It is movable, simple, convenient and farmer friendly machinery. CSRTI Mysore have developed paired row and 3M plantation system to accommodate more number of mulberry bushes and mechanized practices evolved. It reduces cost of leaf production and working efficiency faster. Different equipments have been developed for ease in intercultural operations viz., Power Rotavator, Cultivator and Weeder. These are cost-effective and convenient for use in different mulberry plantation systems such as., pit system, row system and tree or bush plantation system. Disease and pest control is important for healthy mulberry production. Different sprayers have been developed by different institutes viz., self-propelled sprayer, power tiller mounted sprayer by CSRTI and TNAU respectively. Many technological innovations have been developed for the control of mulberry diseases viz., Navinya, Nemahari (Plant based formulation), Raksha (Talc-based biofungicide) and root-fix for control of root-rot and root knot diseases of mulberry. Azotobacter biofertilizer (Azotobacter chrococum bioformulation) is being effectively used as a nitrogenous fertilizer in mulberry.
Grassroots innovations for better sericulture.
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Innovations in silkworm rearing
Silkworm rearing is the mass scale rearing of silkworms for production of silk (Vijayakumar et al., 2007). Both on-farm and off-farm activities imparts greater employment potential feasible for women fork of the rural society as well. However, need of technological developments asserts higher silk production with better income to farming people. Contemporary sericulture has been advanced by the implementation of novel technological innovations at farm and industry level to enhance the silk productivity (Singh et al., 2021). The growth and development of silkworm is influenced by environmental factors. Therefore, the maintenance of environmental parameters as per requisites of silkworm health is a bit challenging process. However, the potential performance of novel innovations viz., Arduino aided Internet of Things (IoT), image processing technique and smart sensors of technological innovation is appraised as a master stroke key to the problem. It is simple, convenient and cost-effective solution to achieve successful cocoon crop production (Rokhade et al., 2021). One more innovation, is the development of Internet of Things (IoT) empowered Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN) system using sensors for monitoring of environmental factors according to recognized different life cycle stages and capturing photos simultaneously to achieve the improvement in series of life cycle stages in silkworm (Nivaashini et al., 2018). Many models have been proposed time to time based on Internet of things (IoT) for the development of smart sericulture technology to promote sericulture (Srinivas et al., 2019; Sreedhar et al., 2020; Eethamakula et al., 2020; Jeegadeesan et al., 2021). In the UT of Jammu and Kashmir, there are three different agro-climatic zones viz., temperate, intermediate (lies between temperate and sub-tropical) and sub-tropical zone. Therefore, there is need of different mulberry cultivars, cultivation practices and silkworm breeds which are specific to different agro-climatic regions. The development of region specific silkworm is of prior importance to revive sericulture industry in Jammu and Kashmir. Fortification of mulberry leaves with proteins and other supplements is a latest technique to enhance the cocoon production. It employs use of different plant or animal based products rich in proteins more particularly to feed the silkworm larvae (Qadir et al., 2022 a). A chawki leaf chopper for chopping the mulberry leaf in thin slices for consumption of young age larvae have been developed. An artificial silkworm diet known as “Nutrid” have been developed for healthy and vigorous growth of silkworms. CSRTI Mysore, have developed a device which acts as both heater and humidifier as per requirement of rearing room. Collection of matured larvae and their mounting on mountage is a laborious process. A plant based hormone which comprises of photoecdysone known as “Sampoorna” have been developed for early and uniform maturation of silkworms. A device which picks and separates matured silkworms from mulberry twigs in shoot system of rearing and from trays in tray system of rearing have been developed with almost negligible injury risk to silkworms. Disinfection is the foremost operation to be carried before commencement of silkworm rearing to maintain the pathogen-free environment for silkworm. An ecofriendly and cost-effective tool which employs the use of fire-flames and LPG as fuel known as flame-gun, have been developed to disinfect the incubation, rearing, leaf, cocoon storage room and rearing equipments. Many bed-disinfectants have been developed such as., labex, Ladhoi, Jeevan- Sudha, Resham Jyoti, RKO, Sericillin, Ankush, Vijetha, Amruth to defend the disease causing pathogens in silkworm rearing. Manual dusting of bed-disinfectants is unsafe for applier. CSRTI Mysore have developed power/battery operated duster which evenly speads the disinfectants over the silkworm body on trays in less time.Pest control can be achieved by application of uzitrap, uzicide etc to control the major pest, Exorista bombycis in silkworm rearing. Plastic tray washing machine possesses efficiency of washing 120 trays/hr with complete disinfection are developed to save the labour charges and time in silkworm rearing.
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Innovations in post-cocoon sector
The collection and separation of cocoons from cocoon frames is laborious and time consuming process. The development of handle/ pedal operated cocoon harvesting machine used for harvesting from 25-50 frames/hr and 50-60 frames/hr from hand operated and pedal operated harvester respectively. Deflossing is the process of removing floss layer of the cocoon. Manual deflossing is time consuming process and requires labour. Cocoon deflossing machines viz., hand operated, hand operated cum motorized and fully motorized which can defloss 25-30 kg/hr, 50-60 kg/hr and 75-80 kg/hr respectively have been developed. In grainages, an ample quantity of cocoon needs to be cut for sex determination of pupae and estimation of quantity parameters such cocoon weight, shell weight and shell ratio. Cocoon cutting machine have been developed with efficiency of cutting 5000 cocoons/hr have been developed. Cocoon boiling or cooking is the process of boiling the cocoons to soften the sericin layer for smooth unwinding of silk fibre from the cocoon. It is mostly carried by simple cooking either in a single-pan system or in a three-pan system at different temperatures. These methods render the cocoons either over-boiled or under-boiled which are unsuitable for the reeling process. A new technique “Vacuum boiling machine” has been developed in which the uniform softening of all the layers is attained with better reelability. Metallic buttons are non-circular stainless steel devices used as thread guides with required specifications as that of yarn size, have been developed to avoid slubs in yarn and can be used for a comparatively longer time.
Conclusion
Sericulture being the labour-intensive sector provides a source of profitable self-employment to a large number of the Indian population. Labour wages cost about 65-70% of the total cocoon produced from different sectors of sericulture in India. Hence reduction in labour dependency will ultimately reduce the production costs. The farming technicality in each sector of sericulture is the need of the hour. Innovations play a prominent role in accomplishing the goal. The novel ideas related to different approaches, appliances, and techniques connected with farming people can be explored in developing sericulture. Investment in technology, promotion of technologies and conduction of training programs can contribute to improving the competence in sericulture. The acceptance of challenges and adoption of innovations can lead to developments in sericulture.
Naveed Hameed is CEO, SKIIE Centre, SKUAST-K
Jasmeena Qadir has PhD in Sericulture
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