The Central Sericultural Research & Training Institute (CSR&TI), Central Silk Board, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, Galandar, Pampore, in collaboration with the University of Ladakh, organised a consultative workshop on Sericulture Development in Ladakh at the Conference Hall, Baroo, Kargil, on December 9.

The workshop witnessed enthusiastic participation from around 100 stakeholders, including heads and representatives of major line departments of Kargil.

The event was chaired by Mohd. Jaffer Akhoon, Chairman/Chief Executive Councillor, LAHDC Kargil, who lauded the efforts of the Central Silk Board (CSB) for introducing sericulture in Ladakh. While distributing certificates to trainees of the 45-day Intensive Bivoltine Training-cum-Demonstration Programme, he expressed confidence that sericulture would soon emerge as a sustainable livelihood option for the people of Kargil. He also extended gratitude to P. Sivakumar, IFS, Member Secretary, Central Silk Board, and Padmini Singla, IAS, Joint Secretary (Fibre), Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, for advancing the commitments made during the “Ekta Event” held in Leh in June 2025. He assured that steps would be taken to create a sericulture wing within an appropriate line department until a full-fledged sericulture department is established under LAHDC.

Aga Syeed Mujtaba Mussavi, Executive Councillor (Social Welfare/Agriculture/Animal & Sheep Husbandry/ICDS), LAHDC Kargil, reaffirmed LAHDC’s commitment to popularizing sericulture in the district and assured full support to CSB for its development initiatives.

Addressing the participants, Dr. Sardar Singh, Director, CSB–CSR&TI Pampore, highlighted that under the leadership of P. Sivakumar, IFS, the Central Silk Board is committed to promoting sericulture in Ladakh. He noted that CSB has been conducting training programmes in Kargil since 2016, and the region is now well-positioned to adopt sericulture as a viable income-generating activity. He emphasized that Kargil’s climatic conditions are favourable for silkworm rearing. The workshop also featured discussions on the agro-based model of sericulture, seri-tourism potential, and integrated farming systems.

A notable highlight was the participation of trained farmers who showcased cocoons harvested during their training. Their enthusiasm to adopt sericulture commercially reflected the growing acceptance and potential of this sector. Farmers also appealed for continued support from CSB and the Government of Ladakh.

During the session, Gulzar Ahmad Khan, Scientist-D, CSB, informed that over 6,000 wild mulberry plants are naturally available in and around Kargil. He announced CSB’s plan to plant 5,000 additional mulberry saplings in farmers’ fields during the upcoming plantation season to strengthen the region’s mulberry resource base.

The local coordinator of NRLM clusters assured that sericulture would soon become a key livelihood activity under NRLM. Officials from KVK Kargil, faculty from the University of Ladakh, and representatives of various line departments also pledged full support for scaling up sericulture in the region. Executive Councillors of LAHDC Kargil, senior CSB scientists, entrepreneurs, NGOs, SHGs, and trained farmers actively participated in the workshop.

The workshop concluded with a set of recommendations and a roadmap for commercial-scale expansion of sericulture in Ladakh, marking a significant step toward livelihood generation and rural economic development in the region.