Silkworm farming, a sustainable way out of poverty

In recent years, the difficult commune of Da Long, Dam Rong district has gradually seen positive changes, including the efforts of farmers and women. From poor households with precarious lives, many families have proactively changed their livelihoods, applied technical advances to production, and gradually escaped poverty and stabilized their lives.

Ms. Kơ Liệt K'Hoa and her mother are sorting silkworm cocoons.

Previously, coffee, cashew and rice were the main crops of farmers in Da Long commune in particular and Da Tong and Da M'rong communes in general. However, due to traditional farming practices, the economic efficiency was still limited. Since implementing the model of intercropping some crops with high economic value, especially the model of converting some areas of ineffective production land to mulberry and silkworm farming, a new direction has been opened in the journey of sustainable poverty reduction for the people here. One of the typical farmers who have overcome difficulties is the family of Ms. Ko Lieng K'Hoa in Village 2. Previously, she was a poor household, cultivating 1.5 hectares of agricultural land but with low efficiency. Thanks to the support of the government and local agricultural development programs, by 2021, her family was recognized as having escaped poverty. Also in this year, after receiving support from the District Agricultural Center for mulberry seeds, Ms. K'Hoa boldly converted 0.4 hectares of ineffective rice fields to grow mulberry and raise silkworms. The remaining area, her family continued to invest in planting coffee seeds.

Ms. K'Hoa expressed: "On the journey to escape poverty sustainably, difficulties are inevitable, but thanks to timely support, in early 2022, my family continued to receive support from the Lam Dong National Defense Economic Group (Military Region 7) with silkworm raising tools, so the silkworm raising profession has been more favorable". Ms. K'Hoa shared that silkworm raising depends a lot on the mulberry area and the quality of mulberry leaves. There are about 8 months of silkworm raising in a year. On average, her family raises 2 batches per month, each batch from 0.5 grams to 1 box of silkworms, earning from 4 to more than 10 million VND. With increasingly solid techniques and more experience from practice, there are months when she can collect 90 kg of cocoons/box of silkworms, bringing in a higher income. Thanks to that, her family's economy has gradually stabilized.

Ms. K'On - Vice President of the Farmers' Association and Agricultural Extension Officer of Da Long Commune shared that from a place where people were still hesitant and afraid to approach silkworms, most of them have now become familiar with the craft and have a stable source of income. "At first, many people were afraid and did not dare to raise silkworms. But after a few seasons of raising, seeing the effectiveness and income, people started to become more interested and confident," said Ms. K'On.

Not only farmers, but also women in the commune have actively learned and participated in the model, which is bringing about clear results, contributing to improving income and improving life. According to Ms. Cil Sala Mon - President of the Women's Union of Da Long commune, the whole commune currently has 246 women members, many of whom actively participate in developing the silkworm farming profession. In particular, the Women's Mulberry and Silkworm Farming Association of the commune currently has 29 members operating effectively. Since switching to silkworm farming, many families have had a steady source of income, enough to cover their living expenses, limiting the situation of borrowing or lending for young coffee. Not only that, members also proactively share experiences, support each other with mulberry leaves, farming tools, mulberry leaf picking, care, etc., helping the model to develop more and more firmly. In addition to converting old, ineffective coffee areas and one-crop rice fields lacking water to mulberry cultivation, this movement also motivates people to improve the soil, learn techniques, and proactively find suitable mulberry varieties. Some households can earn up to 15 million VND per batch of raising a box of silkworms, an encouraging figure for people in remote areas.

Up to now, the whole Da Long commune has developed nearly 60 hectares of mulberry growing area, affirming the right direction in sustainable agricultural economic development, from the hard-working hands and close connection between farmers' association members, women's association members and people. Compared to 2020, Da Long commune still had many poor households and poor members, but by 2024, the majority of farmers' association members, women's association members... in the locality have risen out of poverty. This achievement is a clear demonstration of the people's persistent efforts in improving their livelihoods and renewing their production thinking.

Evaluating this result, Mr. Lo Mu Ha Poh - Secretary of the Party Committee of Da Long commune said: "The spirit of overcoming difficulties, daring to think, daring to do of the people has contributed significantly to helping the commune complete the criteria on poverty reduction in building new rural areas. Up to now, the poverty rate of Da Long commune has decreased to 3.77% and has officially reached the new rural destination by the end of 2024".

The journey from poverty to stability of the people of Da Long is a beautiful story of change in a remote commune with many difficulties. With models such as silkworm farming and crop restructuring, it is clear that a sustainable path out of poverty has been opened, not only by support policies, but more importantly, by the spirit of rising up of the people here.

Source: https://baolamdong.vn/kinh-te/202506/nuoi-tam-huong-di-thoat-ngheo-ben-vung-5500c01/