Sericulture as an industrial sector has been a component of the backbone of Jammu &Kashmir state’s economy, carrying itself, a rich history. The prevailing climate and availability of skilled labour in the valley of Kashmir are the favourable factors existing for silk production. There are 2,800 villages and 33,000 households which have taken up sericulture as an important economic activity. In the state, there are about 7 lakh mulberry trees, out of which 53 per cent (370,000) are in Jammu division and 47 per cent in Kashmir division. Annually, about 1022 MT of cocoon are produced generating an income of about Rs. 2224 lakh for these silkworm rearers coupled with the annual employment generation to the tune of 3.5 lakh mandays (3.0 lakh on-farm and 0.50 lakh off-farm).The department has 173 mulberry nurseries spread over an area of 963 acres, and 374 mulberry blocks over an area of 2215 acres across the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Annually, about 6,680 quintals of raw silk is produced which is approximately worth Rs. 50 crores or 50 million. However, it is high time to notice that silk production in Jammu & Kashmir has declined considerably over the past few decades. This study has focused to understand the key challenges faced by the cluster and prepared a strategic action plan to address the issues.

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