JKI established its business unit at Jammu, plans to procure 1.30 Lakh Kgs of Cocoon worth Rs. 11.24 Cr

Jammu, Dec 16: In order to give imputes to local made handicraft products and to promote its trade, the Jammu Kashmir Industries (JKI) has established a mega sale outlet in the heart of Jammu town and thus put the dying industry on the path of the revival by setting a target to purchase 1.30 lakh Kgs of Cocoons from the local breeders for the year 2021-22 thus benefiting to around 10000 Cocoon rearing families in Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

As per the details available with news agency Kashmir Dot Com- (KDC), JKI one of the oldest PSU in J&K is on a path of revival and reestablishment.

The official sources told news agency KDC that the Government appreciating the importance of rescuing the livelihood of very large segment of population which is directly or indirectly linked with JKI activities took several decisive initiatives to introduce all possible measures that have put the Organization on a path of revival and rid itself from the continuous accrual of losses.

“A well thought out strategy was put in place to garner adequate resource for putting in implementation various schemes/projects” the sources told added that a comprehensive and in depth analysis of exploring the possibility of reviving closed units of JKI and also establishing new units that possess the potential of working on viable basis was undertaken. Emphasis was also laid on creating such credible infrastructure in the Government sector that could effectively provide benefit to the local population.

After lots of study, a view emerged that the J&K was considerably lagging behind in promoting the textile sector despite the fact that it provided for huge business opportunities particularly because of availability of adequate raw material required in the wool and silk sector.

One of the estimates suggests that around 40 thousand families each are associated with rearing of sheep and cocoons. In absence of any reliable consumption centre for value addition of this raw material within the J&K, the farming community was exposed to exploitation and the material would find its way outside the state in the raw form.

Further in order to safeguard the interests of the farming community and also create a viable economic cycle, the units associated with these sectors have been revived/established.

In the period of last 3 years the organisation has set up Silk Filatures and Silk Weaving units in Jammu and modernised its Joinery Unit in Jammu. Similarly, in the Kashmir Division Woollen Spinning Plants at Solina and Nowshera and Silk Filatures at Solina have been modernised and the upgradation of Silk Weaving Factory at Rajbagh and Woollen Mills Bemina is being taken under the World Bank funded Jehlum Tawi Flood Recovery Project.

This revival plan which has been keenly supported at the highest Administrative level has the active support and the guidance of the Commissioner Secretary Industries and Commerce Department MK Dwivedi.

The effects of revival are already visible as JKI has procured around 66,740 kgs Cocoon worth ₹ 5.77 crore which has resulted in economic benefits to around 5140 Cocoon rearing families of J&K. This intervention has resulted in direct monetary benefit of ₹ 11250 approx. per family. This intervention has also become more significant due to the fact that because of the COVID 19 lockdown few outside buyers could participate in the auction of the cocoons conducted by the Sericulture Department and the procurement of cocoons by JKI has come as a huge economic relief for them. The establishment of the Silk related infrastructure by JKI has also led to the stability of Cocoon Prices as the rearers of cocoon have an assured market with J&K and are thus likely to resort to distress sales.

JKI plans to procure around 1,30,000 kgs Cocoon worth ₹ 11.24 crore in the year 2021-22 thus benefiting to around 10000 Cocoon rearing families .

Similarly in the current year JKI has procured around 20000 kgs of local wool worth ₹ 0.30 crore which has benefitted around 200 sheep rearing families with a direct monetary benefit of around Rs.15000 per family.

As with cocoons JKI intends to procure around 1 lakh kgs of wool worth ₹ 1.50 crore to benefit around 500 sheep rearing families in the year 2021-22

In order to strengthen the marketing of its products JKI has tied up with AMAZON for marketing of its products and its products especially furniture and Joinery would also be available on GeM.

Further in order to increase the market visibility and boost the sales of the Furniture and Joinery items, Silk and Woollen products being manufactured by Jammu Kashmir Industries Ltd. an Experience Centre has been constructed at Shaheedi Chowk Jammu.

The facility located in the heart of Jammu city, spread over three floors besides display cum sale of furniture and Joinery items, Silk and Wool Products being manufactured by JKI also has facilities like parking space, fire fighting system, lifts etc.

Similarly an Interpretation Centre cum Showroom to showcase its new wool and silk based product range has been constructed at Government Woollen Mills Bemina.The Showroom would also inform the visitors of the rich cultural history of Silk and Wool Sectors in J&K .

Commissioner Secretary Industries and Commerce Department MK Dwivedi has been instrumental in implementation of this revival plan and has been issuing instructions and directions to complete the transformation of JKI from a loss-making unit to a viable commercial organisation rooted to the betterment of the large community of J&K associated with the textile sector. (KDC)