KAPANGAN, Benguet – Silk production in this municipality is being revived with the assistance of the Department of Science and Technology and partners.
The DOST, municipal government, and partners recently signed the memorandum of agreement for the sericulture revitalization project for silkworm farmers in Kapangan.
The DOST, through the Benguet Provincial S&T Center, and the municipal local government will oversee the project.
The DOST-Philippine Textile Research Institute will bring its expertise on silk and textile and its network for the recommendation of silk cocoon producers that will be tapped to rear commercial silkworm hybrids.
Another partner, Bayo Manila Foundation Inc., committed to buy the fresh cocoons at the appropriate price, which it will process into silk and into fabric.
DOST-Benguet Director Sheila Marie Claver said the revitalization of the sericulture industry was initiated by Kapangan Mayor Manny Fermin and former Department of Tourism Regional Director Venus Tan.
With the participation of DOST for the S&T assistance and Bayo Manila Foundation as the product market, the loop is complete.
During the MOA signing, two boxes of silkworm cocoons were provided to the sericulture farmers who are set to have their first harvest in the coming weeks.
Bayo personnel will visit the town to see the silkworm produce and provide the needed training assistance to the farmers.
“We hope that this initiative will be enough to jumpstart the revival of sericulture in the municipality and effectively provide a sustainable livelihood for the farmers,” Claver said.
Silk was Kapangan’s one town, one product in 2005.– Carlito Dar
April 18, 2024
