Distributing awards to silk cocoon producers, the silk and textiles minister, Shiv Kumar Beria on Sunday asked farmers to enhance silk production in UP for better income and employment opportunities.
* Beria, provided Ram Manohar lohia Silk Productivity Awards to 40 farmers in a function organised at Sahkarita Bhawan auditorium in state capital. Addressing function, the minister said, with limited job opportunities in government sector there are very few industries in UP. In these circumstances the silk industry could play crucial role in creating new job opportunities and enhancing income of farmers.
Stressing on taking silk industry to remote areas of UP, Beria said, currently the silk production in state was 175 metric ton only which was quite dissatisfactory against the target. The government has fixed target of 1500 metric ton silk production in next fiscal which would be of great help in strengthening rural economy and creating job opportunities.
Still 90 percent of rural population is ignorant about the silk production. The officials are required to visit remote areas of UP and make all possible efforts to aware farmers of growing industry.
The minister asked officials to hold departmental review meetings at every three month and ensure availability of all information and facilities required for silk production to farmers. The function was attended by senior officials including special secretary (Silk) Ajay Upadhyay, Silk Director Vishnu Swarup Mishra and scientists associated with central silk board.