A training session on sericulture under the Experiential Learning Programme (ELP) was organized by the School of Agriculture (SOA), Uttaranchal University, Dehradun, under the guidance of Dr Mohsin Ikram, Assistant Professor and sericulture expert. Sericulture, which involves rearing silkworms and growing mulberry plants to feed them, is an important small-scale industry that supports rural livelihoods and creates employment. The training began on February 25, 2025, and was designed to help B Sc (Hons) Agriculture, VIII semester students gain practical knowledge and skills related to silk production. The programme aimed to prepare students to manage their own sericulture units, start small businesses, or take up jobs in the agri-based private sector. A total of 19 students took part in the training, where they learned about mulberry cultivation for good quality leaves, how to rear silkworms, maintain clean rearing beds, identify silkworm diseases, and disinfect equipment properly. Students also practiced using plastic mountages for cocoon formation and learned how to identify damaged or defective cocoons. After harvesting, they were trained in post-harvest steps such as stifling and wet reeling with the help of simple reeling machines in the lab. The training ended on April 24, 2025, with a certificate distribution ceremony attended by Prof (Dr) Sharad Pandey, Director, SOA, and Prof (Dr) Rajendra Prasad, Head of Department. The session gave students confidence and improved their understanding of real-world sericulture practices.
