Latest news with #Sericulture
The Hindu
30-06-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Reservoirs full, agricultural activity in full swing, says Cheluvarayaswamy
Mandya district in-charge Minister N. Cheluvarayaswamy on Monday said that agricultural activities in the State has peaked, and farmers are quite enthusiastic because the reservoirs are full owing to vigorous monsoon. Speaking at a programme organised to offer 'Bagina' or a traditional thanksgiving to the river goddess at the Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) on Monday, the Minister said that all reservoirs, including the KRS, in the Cauvery basin are full or nearing their maximum level, and the agricultural activities are in full swing which is a positive development, he said. The Minister said that the government was committed to protecting the interest of the farmers. Giving an impetus to agriculture, the government has sanctioned an agricultural university for Mandya, which is heavily reliant on agriculture. The government has also given permission to start a private agricultural college in Adichunchanagiri, the Minister added. MLA for Srirangapatna Ramesh Bandisidde Gowda said that for the first time in the recorded history, the dam has attained its maximum level of 124.80 ft. in June, and the Chief Minister has offered the traditional thanksgiving. Apart from the KRS, the Mettur dam in Tamil Nadu has also reached its full level and hence several issues pertaining to sharing of water has been solved for this year, Mr. Gowda said. Referring to irrigation works in Srirangapatna, Mr. Gowda said the government has sanctioned ₹150 crore for the development of canals and repair works. 'The Chikkadevaraja Sagar canal, Ramaswamy canal, and other main channels in the district have already been developed, and the works in the distributary canals were pending,' he said, adding that these works have to be taken up to link the distributary canals to the main canals. Minister for Social Welfare H.C. Mahadevappa, Minister for Minor Irrigation Boseraju, Minister for Sericulture K. Venkatesh, MLCs Madhu Made Gowda and Dinesh Gooli Gowda, and others were present.
Hindustan Times
28-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Transform plantation campaign into statewide people's movement: UP CM Adityanath directs officials
Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath chaired a high-level review meeting here on Saturday and directed officials to transform the plantation campaign into a statewide people's movement. Transform plantation campaign into statewide people's movement: UP CM Adityanath directs officials The chief minister's remarks come ahead of the upcoming Van Mahotsav in July. Launching the logo of 'Vriksharopan Maha Abhiyan 2025', Adityanath announced an ambitious goal of planting more saplings on a single day than the total population of Uttar Pradesh, the Uttar Pradesh government said in a statement. "The campaign, themed 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam', represents a collective push to transform the state from heatwave to greenwave. Between 2017 and 2024, more than 204.92 crore saplings have been planted across the state," said Adityanath. "As per the Forest Survey of India, Dehradun, the state's green cover increased by three lakh acres between 2017 and 2023 a feat made possible through massive public participation," he added. The chief minister also said that every child born during Van Mahotsav will receive a green gold certificate and their parents will be gifted a sapling. "This will symbolically link environmental consciousness to family life. The sapling will be nurtured with the same love and care as a newborn child," he said, adding that this initiative should serve as the emotional core of the campaign and be widely publicized. Adityanath announced that a total of 35 crore saplings will be planted during Van Mahotsav an initiative that surpasses even the total population of Uttar Pradesh. Describing it as a major environmental event, he urged that preparations in this regard should begin immediately, emphasizing the need to spread the message "plant trees, save trees". According to officials, the Forest Department will plant 12.60 crore saplings, while other departments will account for 22.40 crore saplings. Detailed department-wise targets have been set and nodal officers appointed across all departments to ensure coordination. To ensure supply, 52.43 crore saplings have been raised across 1,901 Forest Department nurseries, 146 Horticulture Department nurseries, 55 Sericulture nurseries and 484 private nurseries. This diverse stock includes species suitable for industrial use, construction, fruit-bearing, fodder and ornamental purposes. The chief minister directed that each department implement its action plan with utmost seriousness to guarantee the campaign's success. He noted that this initiative is not merely a government programme, but a step toward securing a better and healthier future for the people of Uttar Pradesh. "When every household plants a sapling and every citizen commits to its care, Uttar Pradesh will not only remain the most populous state, but will also emerge as the greenest and most environmentally conscious state in the country," he added. Adityanath stressed that large-scale plantation should take place in all schools covered under Project Alankar. Similarly, moringa and other shade-giving trees must be planted in all medical colleges and district hospitals, providing long-term benefits to patients and their families. He also called for dense plantations in all industrial units to enhance the green and healthy nature of the industrial environment. Additionally, priority planting of trees like neem, pakkad and peepal in all destitute cow shelters was emphasized, highlighting their benefits for the well-being of cows. Adityanath also stressed that this year's campaign must place river revival at its core. He instructed that extensive plantation drives should be undertaken along both banks of rivers to improve water quality and enhance biodiversity. Additionally, all ponds within river catchment areas will be lined with plantations and simultaneously taken up for conservation and rejuvenation efforts. He encouraged the planting of fruit-bearing trees like mango, jamun and tamarind in public spaces to ensure both greenery and nutritional value with special emphasis on planting along expressways. The chief minister directed that large-scale plantation be undertaken along the Gorakhpur Link Expressway, Purvanchal Expressway, Bundelkhand Expressway, Agra-Lucknow Expressway and Ganga Expressway to create a vibrant green belt between service lanes and main roads. He called for coordinated efforts to ensure that all beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme plant at least one sapling. Adityanath instructed that every Gram Sachivalaya, Krishi Vigyan Kendra and public institution be integrated into the plantation targets, making this environmental campaign a truly collective mission. The chief minister emphasized that while plantation is vital, equal attention must be given to the protection and nurturing of saplings. He directed that every planted sapling be geo-tagged and proper fencing arrangements ensured for their safety. Alongside plantation drives, the public must be encouraged to take responsibility for care and protection of these saplings so that they can grow into full-fledged trees, he added. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
The Hindu
27-06-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
17 candidates from TNAU's Forest College and Research Institute selected for Scientist-B post by Central Silk Board
The Central Silk Board has selected 15 Sericulture and two Forestry post-graduates of Forest College and Research Institute for the post of Scientist - B (Precocoon). The CSB had conducted the recruitment process to fill 122 existing vacancies in the post at various research institutes across India. After clearing the preliminary written test conducted by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi, the candidates of FCRI applied for the post of Scientist-B in CSB. The 24 shortlisted candidates were called for the verification of original certificates and other documents in the ratio of 1:4. The personal interview was conducted earlier this month at CSB, Bangalore, and the results were declared two days ago, a TNAU press release said. The selected candidates reflected that hands-on exposures imparted in mulberry cultivation, pests and disease management, disinfection, chawki maintenance, silkworm rearing, mounting and value addition during the practical classes and in-depth knowledge, as part of the course work, stood them in good stead to clear the written examination and face the personal interview with confidence. In 2023, six post-graduates of Sericulture were selected for the post of Scientist-B and are now working across India. Also, a number of Sericulture graduates are working as Inspector of Sericulture (IS) and Assistant Inspector of Sericulture (AIS) in the State Sericulture Department, as Probationary officer (PO) and Agricultural Field Officer (AFO) in nationalised banks. Besides performing well in UPSC, TNPSC, SSC, RRB and Banking exams, graduates of (Hons) Sericulture also transform into entrepreneurs by establishing sapling production unit, Chawki rearing centre, commercial cocoon production unit, and cocoon craft production unit, the press release said.
The Hindu
14-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Monoculture reduces soil fertility; farmers urged to adopt alternative crops: DC
Mandya Deputy Commissioner Kumar on Wednesday emphasised the importance of diversifying crop cultivation to maintain soil fertility and improve farmers' incomes. Speaking at the Silk Farmers' Technical Convention organised by the Department of Sericulture at the Mandya Zilla Panchayat, he encouraged farmers to consider sericulture (silk farming) alongside traditional crops like paddy and sugarcane. Highlighting the commercial viability of silk farming, Dr. Kumar said: 'Sericulture is a profitable venture. By integrating it with conventional crops, farmers can enhance their income.' He noted that monoculture practices, such as the continuous cultivation of a single crop, gradually reduce soil fertility, underscoring the need to promote and adopt alternative crops. 'Farmers are not poor, and they do not need sympathy. They need empowerment through technical knowledge and self-confidence,' the Deputy Commissioner added. Drawing a parallel between farmers and soldiers, he said, 'Just as soldiers guard the nation's borders, farmers serve the country by providing food. Farmers are equal to soldiers and rich in generosity.' Sericulture Development Commissioner and Director Rajesh Gowda remarked that Mandya is among the districts with the highest number of farmers in Karnataka. He pointed out that if properly supported, silk farming can become a highly lucrative venture for the region's farming community. Progressive silk farmer Nagaraju C.L. from Kolar delivered a technical session on best practices in sericulture, including silkworm rearing, space optimisation, cocoon management, and pest and disease control techniques. Deputy Director of Sericulture B. Puttaswamy, Additional Director Y.T. Timmayya, Deputy Director Somanna D., N.B. Jyothi from the Silkworm Division, Mahiba Helen from CSR&TI Mysuru, and Assistant Director of Sericulture Ravi Kumar and others were present.
