IMPHAL, December 22: It is scientifically proven that sericulture products like silk can cure asthma and protect people from ultra violet rays. So, we need to focus on the production of silk through sericulture projects, stated newly appointed Sericulture director Waikhom Ibohal.
He was speaking at a reception programme organised by Unique Model School and Heingang United Club Organisation (HUCO), an apex body of Heingang clubs after being promoted as the director of the Sericulture department.
In his speech, he further stated that after assuming charge as the director of the department he wants to develop villages in the State as model villages of sericulture products.
`If a farmer intends to start producing sericulture products the department is willing to extend help all the time as it is a friend to poor people that can provide economic resources in various ways.
The barren land of the State can be turned into a resourceful land in a year by sericulture`, he said.
The newly appointed Sericulture director said Heingang hill ranges was one of the places where sericulture projects were taken up in the past as the soil there is conducive for the cultivation of Mulberry and Tusser trees etc. Now, various sericulture projects will be again taken up in the area in the coming years, the director who is a native of Heingang added.
Informing that a pilot project in Sericulture will be taken up soon in the Heingang fish farms, he explained that the soil of the fish farm or land near the water is most suitable for tusser and mulberry trees as the trees are protected by being surrounded with ponds.
Sericulture projects are taken up in a concatenate manner divided into the primary, secondary and tertiary stages and provide a lot of opportunities to individuals who are willing to work diligently, Ibohal said, adding Manipuris historically are believed to have arrived from China which occupies the top spot in silk production.
As an example, people in Khurkhul have this in-born quality to identify the best cocoon by seeing only, he opined.