Mulberry growing and silkworm raising model helps women rise up

Established in 2020, the Mulberry and Silkworm Cooperative in Kinh Te Moi village, Ninh Gia commune, has helped women members switch from ineffective coffee trees to mulberry and silkworm farming, achieving a stable income of 15 - 20 million VND/month.

Income from growing mulberry and raising silkworms helps improve the lives of female members.

New Economic Village, which is home to many families who moved from Da Lat City (old) to start a business a long time ago. Life initially faced many difficulties, as most of the women relied on traditional coffee cultivation, with unstable income, while only waiting for the harvest at the end of the year.

However, with diligence and determination, some households have boldly cleared out old coffee areas and switched to growing mulberry and raising silkworms. Realizing the obvious economic efficiency, this model quickly spread, attracting more than 50 households to participate.

“Realizing that growing mulberry and raising silkworms is a model that brings high economic efficiency, however, due to spontaneous farming and fragmented production, the cocoon products sold on the market are often forced to lower prices. Therefore, implementing Project 939 on “Supporting women to start a business”, the Women's Union of the commune chose to establish a cooperative group in Kinh Te Moi village with 20 participating households,” said Ms. Pham Thi Xuan - President of the Women's Union of Ninh Gia commune.

Immediately after its establishment, the cooperative has been operating effectively, with an initial loan of 800 million VND from the Duc Trong Social Policy Bank (SPB). In addition, the members of the cooperative also contributed additional capital, built operating regulations and an internal capital rotation model. Each year, each household will pay 10 million VND, so the 12 households that initially received the disbursement will accumulate 120 million VND to lend to 2 other households, contributing to each other's economic development.

“Since its inception, the cooperative has received attention and practical support from local departments, branches and the Provincial Women's Union, especially the funding of 98 million VND to support modern production equipment (silkworm eggs, trays, nets, floors, cocoon stamping machines) for 15 members. This support has helped women switch from traditional farming methods to applying modern, high-tech silkworm farming methods, improving productivity and cocoon quality,” said Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Hoang - Head of the Women's Union of Kinh Te Moi village, head of the mulberry growing and silkworm raising group.

Thanks to production linkages and avoiding price pressure, the income of group members has increased significantly, reaching an average of 15 - 20 million VND/month. A typical example is the case of Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan Phuong. Previously, her family only relied on coffee. After boldly converting and renting 4 more sao of land, a total of 9 sao of mulberry, each batch of silkworms (3 boxes of seeds) in 15 days, Ms. Phuong collected 1.8 quintals of cocoons, selling for 200,000 - 220,000 VND/kg. On average, each month, after deducting expenses, her family earns about 50 million VND, with only one main worker. Thanks to the application of advanced breeding techniques and good silkworm house hygiene, silkworms rarely get sick and are of high quality. Currently, her family has built a spacious house and invested in specialized tools for silkworm farming. “Not only Ms. Phuong, the income from growing mulberry and raising silkworms not only helps the members take care of their families and their children’s education, but also has capital to reinvest in other crops. Up to now, the cooperative has developed 7 new members, creating a strong influence, attracting women from other villages to come learn and exchange experiences,” Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Hoang added.

It can be said that the success of the New Economic Village Mulberry Cooperative is a clear demonstration of the effectiveness of supporting women to start businesses under Project 939, contributing to improving the lives of members, changing the face of the countryside in a positive direction and motivating women to participate more actively in the movements of the association.

Source: https://baolamdong.vn/mo-hinh-trong-dau-nuoi-tam-giup-phu-nu-vuon-len-401907.html