THERE IS NEVER TOO MUCH SILK

Silkworm breeders of Uzbekistan have completed the season with more than 26,200 tons of cocoons.

"This year, local silkworm breeders have cultivated silkworm eggs of highly productive, climate friendly and resistant to diseases domestic varieties of silkworms Ipakchi-1, Ipakchi-2, Uzbekistan-5, Uzbekistan-6, obtaining an average of 58.2 kg of the crop from each box of silkworm eggs,” reported the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources of Uzbekistan.

This year, the purchase prices of cocoons have increased by an average of 11%, and in beginning of the season the farmers were paid a deposit of 43% of the estimated cost of the harvest.

Silkworm breeders of Samarkand, Surkhandarya, Bukhara, Navoi, Syrdarya, Kashkadarya and Ferghana regions were the first to fulfill contractual obligations. 60-68 kg of cocoons were obtained from each box of silkworm eggs in Jandar, Narpay, Beshariq, Bayaut, Jarkurgan, Kasbi, Kyzyltepa, Chust and Kurgantepa districts.

The Usmonjon Domla farm of Uychi district obtained record yields - 78 kg silkworm eggs from with each box, and the Zolinlik Marjon Maksud farm of Jandar district - 75 kg of eggs.

“Representatives of local authorities and citizens’ assemblies directly assisted farmers during harvesting,” says Director for Sericulture Development of the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources Kahhor Yavkochdiev. “Large cocoon processing enterprises signed direct contracts with farmers, supplying them with all the equipment they needed to operate within the season. As a result, the farmers harvested high quality feedstock. Ranking among the most profitable industries, sericulture occupies a special place in economic development. 350 kg of silk, 20,000 meters of adras, 13,000 meters of atlas and dozens of other products from one ton of cocoons give the good reason to be proud of the success of Uzbek silkworm breeders.

UZBEKISTAN TODAY