Rawalakot: Poonch Agriculture University Rawalakot’s B.Sc. (Honors) students conducted an educational tour along with Professor Department of Sericulture Research Center Circular Research Center Pothohar. On this occasion, the Director of Sericulture Muhammad Rizwan Allah Khan, Research Officer SRC Pothohar Abdul Majid Khan, and Ph.D. scholar from Agriculture University, Muhammad Nadim Jangjua, were also present. Director Sericulture Muhammad Rizwan Allah Khan briefed the students of Poonch Agriculture University, professors, and students of Agriculture University on the scope, potential, and facilities related to Sericulture. They also discussed the ongoing research work on Parental Silk Worm Rearing and Silkworm Breeding Genetics in the Circular Research Center Pothohar.
During the event, students asked various questions to the Director of the Sericulture Department and expressed their determination to conduct research in this field. They pledged to explore various subjects such as Silk Worm Rearing and Mulberry Breeding, Silkworm Pathology, Silkworm Drugs, Silk Glands and Hormones, Silk Products, Bio Products, and Additional Products in their studies. Students from various regions of Azad Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan, and different provinces of Pakistan also expressed their commitment to pursue this field as a career after completing their education.
Professor Naila Nazir mentioned that Poonch University Rawalakot is striving to promote research in various areas of the Sericulture field, including Silk Worm Rearing, Silkworm Breeding Genetics, Silkworm Pathology, Silkworm Drugs, Silk Glands and Hormones, Silk Products, Bio Products, and Additional Products. The aim is to produce graduates/scholars through research so that the department can progress further with the presence of experts in the relevant field.
The establishment of the Department of Sericulture in Azad Kashmir aims not only to provide employment opportunities for rural laborers living in hilly areas but also to reduce environmental pollution and the effects of climate change through silkworm farming and environmental practices. Sericulture is a profitable cottage industry. The process of sericulture is carried out in the spring and autumn seasons, while mulberry silkworms are raised multiple times a year. To start sericulture, mulberry tree cultivation is essential because silkworms use mulberry leaves as their food.
In the current year 2023, the Department of Sericulture, in collaboration with various government and semi-government agencies, has installed 771,000 mulberry plants in the lands of mulberry landowners.