Dehradun, July 3 -- The state cabinet chaired by chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Wednesday approved a proposal to increase the minimum support price (MSP) for silk cocoons for the financial year 2025-26 with an objective to increase its production in the state. "The price of Grade A cocoon has been increased from Rs.400 to Rs.440 per kg, Grade B from Rs.370 to Rs.395 per kg, Grade C Rs.280 to Rs.290 per kg, and Grade D from Rs.230 to Rs.240 per kg," said Ganesh Joshi, agriculture minister after the meeting. "I thank my fellow cabinet members... this will help boost silk production," he said while addressing a press conference after the cabinet meeting. According to officials, bivoltine silk cocoon production is a major silk crop in the state. Among the Himalayan states, Uttarakhand ranks second after Jammu and Kashmir in silk production and holds a distinct identity in bivoltine silk cultivation. Currently, the state produces about 312 tonnes of silk annually, with Dehradun, Nainital, Udham Singh Nagar, and Haridwar being the key silk-producing districts. A senior official on the condition of anonymity said, "The cabinet has authorised the agriculture and farmers welfare department to announce the MSP for subsequent years in consultation with the finance department." In the cabinet meeting, the disaster management department presented a report on disaster related initiatives and measures taken by it....