Witnessing the silkworm farming process in an air-conditioned room.

(Baohatinh.vn) - Overcoming initial difficulties, Cuong Nga Honey Cooperative (Huong Son, Ha Tinh) has mastered silkworm farming techniques and built a stable consumption chain, opening up an effective economic development direction for the people.

Recognizing the potential of the mulberry cultivation and silkworm rearing model, Mr. Nguyen Van Cuong - Director of Cuong Nga Honey Cooperative (Quang Diem commune, Huong Son district) - dedicated his time and effort to visiting and learning from many models inside and outside the province. After many field trips, in September 2022, he boldly brought hybrid mulberry varieties to plant experimentally on 3 hectares of land in Quang Diem commune. To date, the cooperative has expanded to 7 hectares of mulberry trees, achieving a yield of 9 tons/ha.

After securing a source of raw materials, in September 2023, the cooperative began experimenting with silkworm farming by importing eggs from the Silkworm Research Center in Long Bien district ( Hanoi ). Simultaneously, to prepare for the farming process, the cooperative invested in installing a support system, temperature control, and other necessary equipment at a total cost of approximately 100 million VND. However, due to a lack of experience in care techniques, the first batch of silkworms yielded low cocoon production, failing to meet initial expectations.

Despite initial obstacles, Mr. Nguyen Van Cuong remained steadfast in pursuing the silkworm farming model. With the support of the Central Research Center for Sericulture, since June 2024, the cooperative has gradually mastered silkworm care techniques at both stages of development. Currently, the cooperative focuses on raising high-quality silkworm varieties such as VH 2020 and hybrid silkworm varieties imported from China, creating a solid foundation for the long-term development of the model.

Sharing his experience in silkworm farming, Mr. Nguyen Van Cuong said: “Silkworms are very sensitive to changes in the environment. When raising them in large quantities, it is necessary to ensure that the temperature in the “rafts” (wooden frames about ^1m² in size, divided into many small, equal squares) is always kept stable at 25-30 degrees Celsius, and the humidity fluctuates around 80-85% for the silkworms to develop healthily. To meet these strict requirements, we invested in an air conditioning system to maintain a stable temperature, creating favorable conditions for silkworm growth and development.”

The silkworm's development process goes through five stages, called the five instars, each lasting about 2 to 3 days. After each molt, the silkworm enters a new instar. Starting from the second instar, the silkworm enters a period of intense feeding, also known as the "silkworm's voracious appetite" stage. At this time, the nutritional needs increase significantly, requiring breeders to continuously supply fresh mulberry leaves to ensure the silkworm's healthy development.

When silkworms reach the "mature" stage – that is, they have developed to the point of cocoon formation – breeders transfer them into "cocooning cages." Each silkworm will find its own cage to roost in, begin the process of spinning silk, wrapping the silk around its body, and forming a cocoon. Currently, the cooperative has 120 silkworm cocooning cages.

Hygiene and disinfection of the silkworm rearing area are always prioritized, as silkworms are extremely sensitive to the environment. Every cleaning step must be carried out carefully and according to proper procedures to ensure the rearing space remains clean, minimizing the risk of disease or harmful agents. “Silkworm rearing doesn’t allow for any complacency. To achieve high efficiency, strict adherence to technical procedures is mandatory; even a slight oversight can affect the entire silkworm crop,” shared Mr. Nguyen Van Cuong.





Each box of silkworm larvae weighs 100 grams. After about 15 days of care, they will consume approximately 800 kg of mulberry leaves and yield 45-50 kg of cocoons. With current market prices ranging from 180,000 to 200,000 VND/kg, silkworm farmers can earn 14-16 million VND per month.

Mulberry cultivation and silkworm rearing are proving to be an effective path, generating significantly higher incomes compared to many traditional crops. Based on practical experience, converting less productive agricultural land to mulberry cultivation and silkworm rearing yields noticeably higher economic value. To date, the cooperative has proactively connected and collaborated with the Silk and Mulberry Joint Stock Company ( Yen Bai province) to ensure a stable market for its silkworm cocoons.

Based on practical results, the cooperative also expressed its desire for people in areas throughout Huong Son district to promptly grasp the trend and convert inefficient agricultural land to mulberry cultivation and silkworm farming models, creating a new, sustainable, and promising direction in rural economic development.

Video: Silkworm farming model in Huong Son.

Source: https://baohatinh.vn/muc-so-thi-quy-trinh-nuoi-tam-trong-phong-dieu-hoa-post288443.html