INTRODUCTION:
Sericulture is an Agrobased Industry that requires a sound knowledge of both host plant cultivation and silkworm rearing. Mizoram is fortunate for having four different silkworm cultures i.e Mulberry, Eri, Muga and Oak Tasar which can all be harvested successfully in the State.
The Success of the Sericulture Industry largely depends on availability of scientific and technical expertise which would evolve new concepts of methodology for various field applications at the right time and at the right place.
At this end the Authorities of the Sericulture Department contemplated to establish Sericulture Training Institute ever since it was separated from the Industries Department in 1985. However full -fledged Training Institute cannot be established for lack of infrastructural facilities and the required training faculties. Even then In-service short course Training were always conducted some how to cope with the newly evolved technical knowledge for the in-service personals so that they can transfer those knowledge to the farmers in the fields.
After this, Central Silk Board has come up to establish full-fledged Sericulture Training Institute in Mizoram to meet the technical requirements in the State and released Financial Assistance during 2005-2006. Accordingly the Institute is now in a position to function as full-fledge training institute to quinch the requirement of the technical person in the North East States.
THE INSTITUTION:
The Institution is located at the north side of Aizawl City just below Zemabawk playground which is half a kilometer from the National Highway No.54. The Training Institute will give short term training to in-service personals, Farmers and one year Certificate Course to HSSLC (Sc).
I. COURSE OF STUDY
- Certificate Course.
- Refresher Course.
- Farmers Training.
In the Certificate Course the duration will be one year. Medium of instruction is English. The qualification for this course must be HSSLC (Sc) or its equivalent.
II. LIBRARY
The Library of the Institution offers a reading room and borrowing books for a week to the students during office working hours.
III. DISPLINE
The Trainees must observe strict discipline and abide by the rules and regulations of the Institution.
Every Trainees may be liable for punishment extending to expulsion from the institution on disciplinary grounds.
IV. SELECTION OF CANDIDATES
For the State of Mizoram application for admission shall be called by the Principal through Press and other Media and select the Candidates from application thus received.
For other States, Candidates will be selected by their respective states and the list of selected candidates will be sent to the Principal, S.T.I , Aizawl for admission.
V. ADMISSION
The Candidates must fill in the Admission Form which may be collected from the Office of the Institution and shall pay a sum of Rs 100/- only for admission fee at the time of admission.
VI. STIPEND
Candidates selected for one year course will get monthly Stipend from Government of Mizoram and those Candidates Selected from outside Mizoram will get their monthly Stipend from their respective Governments.
VII. HOSTEL ACCOMODATION
The Trainees for the Certificate Course shall stay in the Hostel attached to the Institution and must abide by the Hostel rules.
VIII. STUDY TOURS
Study Tours for the Trainees will be arranged by the Institution. The Expenditure for the Study Tour shall be borne by the respective State.
IX. EXAMINATION AND ANNOUNCEMENT OF RESULTS
Students who complete the Course and obtaining attendance not less than 70% shall be allowed to appear in the final examination. Reults of the successful candidates shall be published in the Mizoram Gazetted by the Government of Mizoram after approval given by the Academic Council.
The unsuccessful Candidates shall be allowed to sit in the final Examination of the next Session.
X. ACADEMIC COUNCIL
The Academic Council will be Constituted by the Department of Sericulture, Government of Mizoram. The duties and responsibilities of the Council are also already laid down.
SYLLABUS FOR CERTIFICATE COURSE
PAPER I : General Sericulture.
PAPER II : Silkworm Physiology.
PAPER III Silkworm Rearing Technology
PAPER IV : Seed Technology
PAPER V : Silkworm Pathology
PAPER VI : Food Plant Pathology
PAPER VII : Food Plant Agronomy
PAPER VIII : Reeling and Spinning
PAPER IX : Sericulture Extension & Management
PAPER X : Sericulture Chemistry.
PRACTICALS : Practical training includes different activities which are involved in Sericulture and knowledge and identification of Implements & Equipments.
SCHEME OF EXAMINATION
There is a proper scheme of examination determining duration and distribution of marks in Theory and Practical in every subjects, for one year Certificate Course.
IN-SERVICE TRAINING PROGRAMME
The in-Service Training Course is three months duration inclusive of theoretical and Practicals. It is compulsory for in-service personels of Sericulture Department from Rearers up to extension Officers of non-Post Graduate Diploma holders and the results wil affect the promotion and crossing of Efficiency Bar of the Candidates.
- SELECTION OF CANDIDATES : Selection Committee Constituted by the Department of Sericulture, Mizoram will select candidates from the technical staff of the Department.
- ADMISSION : The Candidates thus selected will join on the stipulated date.
- EXAMINATION : Trainees who complete the course and having attendance not less than 70% will be permitted to appear in the final examination. The unsuccessful candidates will be allowed to appear again in the final examination of the next Session.
- PROGRAMMES FOR TRAINING : In-service Training is divided in to Spring Refresher Course and Autumn Refresher Course for one year. The number and level of Participants are also arranged according to the demand.
- TRAINING METHODOLOGY : Lecture, Demonstration,Discussion e.t.c
- MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION : Mizo/ English.
- EVALUATION OF TRAINING :
- Proper Scheme of Examination
- 40% aggregate marks atleast.
- Theoritical and Practical papers.
SYLLABUS FOR IN-SERVICE TRAINING
PAPER I : Mulberry Cultivation.
PAPER II : Silkworm Rearing
PAPER III : Diseases and Pests in Sericulture.
PAPER IV : Young age Silkworm Rearing.
PAPER V : Economics of Silkworm Rearing.
PAPER VI : Silkworm Egg Production.
PAPER VII : Process of Reeling Cocoon.
PAPER VIII : Non-Mulberry Sector.
PAPER IX : Farm Management.
PAPER X : Practicals : This includes:-
- Practical for Host Plant Cultivation.
- Grainage Practicals.
- Silkworm Rearing Practicals.
- Pathology and Entomology Practical.
- Morphology and Anatomy Practical.
- Chemistry Practical.
- Mulberry Cocoon Reeling Practicals.
FARMERS TRAINING
The Farmers Training Course is one week duration. The training will be conducted in the institute or mobile according to the demand from the Districts.
The Trainees will get a sum of Rs.500/- each as D.A excluding travelling expenses. One day Field Trip be arranged.
Syllabus for the Farmers Training Course :
- General Sericulture
- Agonomy
- Silkworm Rearing
- Diseases & Pests of Sericulture
- Construction of Rearing House.
- Cocoon Harvest etc.
OTHER UNITS
There are three different units like Reeling & Spinning Section, Industrial Grainage Centre and Demonstration Farms within the S.T.I premises. These three units are working for the normal Departmental Programmes and at the same time utilized for the training purposes. For these reason they are therefore necessarily under the administration of the Principal of Sericulture Training Institute.