Kashmir Hosts Key Indo–Uzbekistan Sericulture Meet as Tashkent Research Chief Visits CSRTI Pampore | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: Kashmir’s temperate sericulture sector received a major international boost this week as Dr Valiyev Sayfiddin Tojiddinovich, Director of the Sericulture Research Institute, Tashkent, concluded a two-day visit to the Central Sericultural Research and Training Institute, Pampore. The visit, held on November 22 and 23, forms part of the ongoing Indo–Uzbekistan collaborative research programme aimed at advancing temperate sericulture through scientific cooperation, genetic resource exchange and joint innovation.

Dr Valiyev was welcomed by Dr Sardar Singh, Director CSRTI Pampore, who had earlier travelled to Tashkent as part of the same R&D partnership. Scientists from the Pampore institute held detailed technical sessions with the visiting delegation, covering emerging research priorities, new technologies in silkworm breeding and avenues for expanding collaborative work between the two countries.

A notable development during the visit was the formal exchange of crucial silkworm genetic resources under a Material Transfer Agreement, marking a significant step toward building a stronger international genetic resource network. Officials said the exchange would support advanced breeding, disease-resistance studies and developmental strategies crucial for strengthening temperate sericulture.

Dr Valiyev toured CSRTI’s laboratories and later visited the Seri-Tourism Project site at Manasbal in Ganderbal. He appreciated the institute’s work in conserving 150 temperate mulberry varieties collected from twenty countries, along with a rich silkworm germplasm bank featuring Indian, Chinese, European and Japanese lineages. He praised the Central Silk Board for showcasing global mulberry and silkworm biodiversity within Kashmir’s unique climate zone, noting that the region’s temperate ecology positions it as a natural partner for Uzbekistan.

The collaboration, officials said, is expected to support genetic improvement programmes, advanced rearing technologies, sustainable sericulture development and the production of high-quality bivoltine silk in both countries. Dr Valiyev observed that Kashmir and Uzbekistan share comparable ecological strengths, enabling meaningful knowledge-sharing and technological cross-learning.

Dr Sardar Singh said the visit, supported by the Central Silk Board, has created new opportunities for joint R&D projects, intensive scientific exchange and future capacity-building efforts. He added that the strengthened partnership aligns with broader efforts to modernise India’s temperate sericulture sector and integrate global research strengths.

Describing the engagement as a landmark in international scientific cooperation, officials noted that the visit opens fresh pathways for innovation, sustained collaboration and long-term growth in temperate sericulture across India and Uzbekistan.