Mulberry harvesting in full swing in Kashmir Valley

Jun 22, 2021

Mirgund (J&K), June 22 (ANI): The harvest of delicious Mulberry fruit crop is in full swing in different parts of the valley. Kashmir valley, which is famous for different fruits and mulberry, is one of them and this year the growers that are dealing with mulberry are happy due to the satisfactory production of crop as compared to last year. This year with the help of favourable climatic conditions, mulberry fruit production shows good results even though the harvesting of crops begins a little bit late due to pandemic. But growers are following all the COVID guidelines including wearing masks and maintaining social distancing during harvesting of crops aimed to protect from any kind of infection. Some years back the department of sericulture was focusing only on mulberry leaves aimed to increase the cocoon production in the valley. However, with the help of some special schemes approved by the central government the sericulture authorities in Kashmir valley take positive steps to increase the mulberry fruit production also. Because mulberry fruit is good for health and has very good demand in the country which results in the last few years, growers are showing good interest to produce this crop as it also creates a source of employment for a number of people. With the help of increasing this fruit, crop numbers of young entrepreneurs including one foreigner establish small units where they are preparing jam and juice. In Kashmir valley numbers of nurseries are famous for mulberry and Mirgund nursery outskirts Srinagar is one of them.” Earlier we were working on especially to increase the leaf production aimed to boost cocoon production but for the last few years, we are also focusing on fruit crops, which result in our production increasing every year. Last year the production of this nursery was seven to eight quintals but this year it will increase upto 12 quintals due to moderate weather conditions,” said Khurshid Ahmad”. Farm Manager Mulberry Station