Arunachal Pradesh MLA Ninong Ering has asked rural farmers to undergo sericulture and allied activities for their economic self sustenance.
Attending a farmers’ meeting at sericulture farming site near Ruksin bordering to Assam on Saturday, the MLA from West Pasighat said government fund meant for farming schemes should be utilized properly because these are not repeatedly sanctioned.
“It is not possible for every educated youth to have government job, so they should undergo skill training for self employment,” Ering said.
“The government has taken steps to create self employment avenue through various income generation activities,” he added while urging the farmers to do farming activities with clear vision and firm ambition.
Informing that the Central Government has approved a ‘Mithun rearing & research centre’ to set up in his constituency, Ering expressed his hope that local youths will get employment opportunity in the institution at different capacities.
Speaking the occasion, assistant director of Textile & Handicraft, Talong Tadeng, who is looking after Sericulture department in East Siang district, elaborated on various schemes opportunities under his department for rearing of silkworms.
He informed that the Central Silk Board observing sericulture feasibility was implementing ‘Integrated Bivoltine Sericulture Development Project’ covering Mulberry Silk Worm rearing along foothills of Assam-Arunachal boundary area.
Accordingly about 350 acres has been brought under food plant cultivation so far.
The assistant director further informed that about 50 rural farmers have been given benefits under the project, while the department is keeping provision to cover more 200 beneficiaries this year.
He has also asked the territorial forest department to propose agro-forestry schemes like sericulture with plantation of food pant for the silk worms.
Stating that ‘Sericulture is much better than agriculture’, Tadeng suggested rural farmers to adopt the culture to enhance their household income.
“My department is keeping a vision to make Pasighat West area bordering to Assam as one of the ‘Sericulture Zone’ in the state,” he maintained.
Besides progressive farmers and woman SHG members MLA Ering along with the officers and public leaders later visited ‘Chum Plantation Sites’ and took stock of the silk rearing activities.