Mulberry growing and silkworm raising profession 'revived', hundreds of households in Lam Dong changed their lives

According to Lam Dong newspaper, from a few initial households, the model of growing mulberry and raising silkworms is being replicated by people in the western communes of the province with clear economic efficiency. For nearly 5 years now, the family of Ms. Dam Thi Dep (village 8, Quang Hoa commune, Lam Dong province) has returned to the profession of growing mulberry and raising silkworms. Once attached to the profession, but due to unstable output, she and her husband had to give up the profession to find another way to make a living.

Thanks to the State's support capital, Ms. Dep's family was able to borrow capital to reproduce according to the closed silkworm farming model. Instead of raising silkworms in temporary houses as before, she built a level 4 house of about 80 square meters to ensure suitable space for silkworms to grow. The systematic investment in barns helps silkworms grow better and brings stable economic efficiency.

Tằm được nuôi trong nhà màn, hạn chế được mầm bệnh. Ảnh: Báo Lâm Đồng.

Silkworms are raised in mosquito nets, limiting disease. Photo: Lam Dong Newspaper.

Ms. Dep shared: “Silkworms are often attacked by flies. Over the past three years, people in Quang Hoa commune have been telling each other how to 'hang mosquito nets' and let the silkworms stay on the ground to avoid scratches and save on cleaning costs."

Quang Hoa commune currently has about 150 poor and near-poor households supported in growing mulberry and raising silkworms. The price of cocoons is fluctuating from 190,000 to 210,000 VND/kg. After deducting expenses, each box of silkworms brings in a profit of over 10 million VND. The model has only been implemented for about 5 years but has proven effective thanks to taking advantage of natural conditions, soil and local labor resources. Many households now have an income of 15 to 25 million VND per month.

Benefiting from the livelihood project under the National Target Program for Socio-Economic Development of Ethnic Minorities and Mountainous Areas, many households in the communes of Quang Khe, Quang Phu, Quang Son, etc. have also boldly developed the silkworm farming profession. Assessment shows that favorable climate and soil are important factors helping this profession to develop more and more. With low investment costs, fast harvest time, and stable cocoon prices, silkworm farming has become an effective choice for many households to get rich.

During the process of participating in the model, households are not only supported with capital and techniques but also regularly share experiences and support each other, helping most households escape poverty and have sustainable income.

Ms. Doan Thi Loan (Quang Long village, Quang Khe commune) said that in the past, silkworm farming was very hard, silkworms were susceptible to diseases so the efficiency was low. However, over the past 5 years, thanks to participating in the cooperative and applying new techniques, her family's income has improved significantly. The 60-year-old woman shared: "Compared to coffee farming, mulberry farming is less hard, suitable for elderly people like my husband and I. In the near future, my family will expand the mulberry growing area to increase the herd."

Mr. Tran Duy Trang, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Quang Khe Commune, said that supporting the development of mulberry cultivation and sericulture is suitable for people's needs and market trends. With low costs, fast capital turnover and stable cocoon prices, this model has helped many households escape poverty and move towards sustainable enrichment.

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