Advisor Zhaleo Rio with members of Zeal SHG while handing over the seed money to them on March 11. (Photo Courtesy: Media Secretary, NDPP 5 Ghaspani-II A/C)
Dimapur, March 11 (MExN): SHG Silk Spinning Unit was launched for Zeal SHG, Medziphema, on March 11 by Zhaleo Rio, Advisor, Sericulture, Excise & Minority Affairs, in the presence of government officials, leaders and farmers at Medziphema Town.
The unit was sponsored by the Department of Sericulture, Government of Nagaland, according to a press release from the Media Secretary of the NDPP 5 Ghaspani-II A/C.
Zhaleo Rio felicitated both the Sericulture department and Zeal SHG for successfully establishing the unit and urged members to contribute their best so the unit may be upgraded at a later stage.
"It is an auspicious occasion for Medziphema subdivision since silkworm farmers will benefit the most through the unit," he stated and reminded that farmers play pivotal role in all agri and allied activities. The Advisor assured of further assistance as well as upgradation if farmers and the SHG can coordinate to make the unit a progressive and productive centre.
While requesting the department to provide quality seeds for plantation as also give good prices for eri produce like cocoons, he urged the farmers to begin ground works by clearing fields so that they can avail maximum benefits during peak season.
Hinting that the government alone can never employ every individual, Rio reiterated that private sectors are a boon for employment and cited that silkworm rearing is one alternative where "the whole family can work together at home with ease."
Rio added that they take only 15-30 days for maturity to spin cocoons depending on season and as such, are excellent source of extra income which can be started as hobby or part-time jobs by anyone. While noting that silkworm rearing has other value added products apart from production of silk, Rio said that "silkworm pickles can be stored for consumption later while the oil extracted from Castor seeds has medicinal uses."
He further revealed that many beneficiaries take government schemes casually and added that "in many cases under Sericulture department where farmers are provided assistance for building eri-rearing shades or rooms, farmers begin to occupy those rooms after a year or so which is utterly disappointing and it is because of such practices that our economy too is in ruins."
He urged farmers to keep working with sincerity and assured that "the government will step in and extend all possible help at the right time."
