10-day skill program on cocoon crafting begins in Uri

Participants during the skill development program in Namblan area of Uri in Baramulla on Saturday. -Excelsior/Aabid Nabi
Participants during the skill development program in Namblan area of Uri in Baramulla on Saturday. -Excelsior/Aabid Nabi

Excelsior Correspondent

Srinagar, Dec 23: A ten-day Skill Development Program on cocoon crafting, funded by NABARD, commenced today in the Namblan area of North Kashmir’s Uri.
The event was inaugurated by the Principal Investigator of the Project, Dr. Khursheed Ahmad, and Deputy Director of Sericulture, Mohammad Ashraf Hakeem.
For the workshop, nearly a hundred educated unemployed girls were registered, during which the participants will receive training in cocoon crafting.
Throughout this training program, five trainers will provide detailed know-how to the participants about different crafting processes.
Speaking to ‘Excelsior’, the principal investigator of the project, Dr. Khursheed Ahmad, stated that the project aims to be an employment-generating venture for women living in tribal areas of North Kashmir.
He highlighted that cocoon crafting is a step towards increasing the income of women and unemployed girls in far-flung areas of North Kashmir.
“Many girls who have already undergone training in the program are earning their livelihood within the four walls of their houses,” he said.
He added that the aim is to teach participants how to earn from the cocoon, which used to be considered waste.
“We are instructing them on how to utilize the waste in crafting, which will undoubtedly contribute to their economy under the Waste to Wealth program,” he explained.