sericulture 05-04-03

	NORDIS WEEKLY April 3, 2005
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Benguet eyed as sericulture capital
LA TRINIDAD, Benguet (Apr. 1) — If Mindanao and Visayas can flaunt their abaca products, Benguet province will soon have all the reason to do so once it establishes itself as the country’s silkworm capital with its continuous production of Class A cocoons. Sericulture is the art and science of breeding silk worms to produce silk fibers. This was introduced in the province of Benguet in 1970’s as an alternative livelihood for the farmers. Kapangan Mayor Rogelio Leon said that with the development of the silkworm industry, he hopes that local farmers will see it as an alternative livelihood source. The town engaged in silkworm production in the 1980’s but did not prosper funds were not available. The project has been revived recently in this town. Over 100 farmers are currently involved in sericulture, but only 30 are active due to lack of funds, Leon said. The town is now in the stage of establishing a rearing center but this will depend on the support of the local officials of Benguet and other private agencies and the unity of farmers to pursue the project, he added. Valentino L. Macanes, Project Officer-in-Charge of the sericulture project at the Benguet State University (BSU), said in 1993, BSU established a two-year course for those who are interested to engage in the said business. According to Wilfredo Seguritan, Regional Director of the Fiber Industry Development Authority (FIDA) in regions 1, 2 and CAR, “it would take eight months to 1 year to produce a cocoon, compared to the lowlands which take only six months due to climatic condition”. He added that in cold places like Benguet, cocoons are expected to grow very slow but there is an assurance of good quality. A person needs 2,500 square meters of land in order to set up a sericulture farm and must have P150,000 for capital. Fe Donato, FIDA Provincial Fiber Officer said they were able to produce 1.5 tons of silk last year. More than 50% came from Benguet and the rest from La Union, Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte and Cagayan but they are classified under Class C. She also said that sericulture also has medical use.. # Irene Jane A. Lorenzo and Pearly Ann Ancheta/MMSU interns
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	NORDIS WEEKLY April 3, 2005
Home \| To bottom	Previous \| Next
Benguet eyed as sericulture capital
LA TRINIDAD, Benguet (Apr. 1) — If Mindanao and Visayas can flaunt their abaca products, Benguet province will soon have all the reason to do so once it establishes itself as the country’s silkworm capital with its continuous production of Class A cocoons. Sericulture is the art and science of breeding silk worms to produce silk fibers. This was introduced in the province of Benguet in 1970’s as an alternative livelihood for the farmers. Kapangan Mayor Rogelio Leon said that with the development of the silkworm industry, he hopes that local farmers will see it as an alternative livelihood source. The town engaged in silkworm production in the 1980’s but did not prosper funds were not available. The project has been revived recently in this town. Over 100 farmers are currently involved in sericulture, but only 30 are active due to lack of funds, Leon said. The town is now in the stage of establishing a rearing center but this will depend on the support of the local officials of Benguet and other private agencies and the unity of farmers to pursue the project, he added. Valentino L. Macanes, Project Officer-in-Charge of the sericulture project at the Benguet State University (BSU), said in 1993, BSU established a two-year course for those who are interested to engage in the said business. According to Wilfredo Seguritan, Regional Director of the Fiber Industry Development Authority (FIDA) in regions 1, 2 and CAR, “it would take eight months to 1 year to produce a cocoon, compared to the lowlands which take only six months due to climatic condition”. He added that in cold places like Benguet, cocoons are expected to grow very slow but there is an assurance of good quality. A person needs 2,500 square meters of land in order to set up a sericulture farm and must have P150,000 for capital. Fe Donato, FIDA Provincial Fiber Officer said they were able to produce 1.5 tons of silk last year. More than 50% came from Benguet and the rest from La Union, Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte and Cagayan but they are classified under Class C. She also said that sericulture also has medical use.. # Irene Jane A. Lorenzo and Pearly Ann Ancheta/MMSU interns
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