Sepahijala, Feb 13: A major awareness workshop on vertical expansion of sericulture was held in Bishalgarh under the ongoing Silk Samagra–02 project, aimed at increasing silk production and improving farmers’ income in Tripura. The programme was led by Dr. Deep Kumar Gogoi, Scientist-D of the Research Extension Centre (REC), Agartala, under the Central Silk Board.
The workshop focused on adopting high-yielding mulberry varieties and climate-resilient silkworm hybrids to enhance productivity and profitability. Addressing the participants, Dr. Gogoi urged farmers to embrace modern technologies and scientific practices to strengthen the sericulture sector in the state.
The event was organised by the Research Extension Centre, Agartala—Tripura’s only unit of the Central Silk Board operating under the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India—in collaboration with the state’s Handloom, Handicrafts and Sericulture Department.
During the technical session, experts discussed silkworm rearing technology, mulberry cultivation package of practices, disease and pest management, and disinfectant application methods. Demonstrations were conducted on chawki rearing techniques, improved mulberry varieties, silkworm hybrids, and preventive disease management strategies covering viral, bacterial, fungal and protozoan infections.
Senior Technical Assistants Haridhan Nam and Sabyasachi Gangopadhyay from REC Agartala conducted live demonstrations and interacted with farmers to address field-level challenges.
Among the dignitaries present were Zilla Parishad Industry Standing Committee Chairperson Biswajit Das; Bishalgarh Panchayat Samiti Chairperson Atasi Das; Bishalgarh RD Block BDO Nantu Deb; Sepahijala District Sericulture Officer Ratan Mani Sarkar; Education Standing Committee member Tapan Das; and Bishramganj MRCS President Pratima Sharma.
The campaign aims to provide an integrated support package to farmers for sustainable and vertical growth of sericulture across Tripura.
