Mindanao could become ‘sericulture country’

Mindanao’s potential of becoming "sericulture country" is bright.

This can be attributed to its vast productive lands and suitable climate for sericulture or the production of raw silk by raising silkworms.

Now taking the lead in the development of the island’s silk industry is the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Textile Research Institute (DOST-PTRI).

PTRI, currently headed by Director Carlos Tomboc, reported that sericulture farmers in southern Philippines have expanded to the provinces of Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Sarangani, South Cotabato, and Basilan; and Davao City.

Renewed interests have also been noted in Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, and the Agusan provinces.

To fasttrack such development, PTRI has signed memoranda of agreement on the conduct of sericulture projects with the following:

• DOST Regional Offices No. 10 (Northern Mindanao) and 11 (Southern Mindanao), Fiber Industry Development Agency (FIDA) Regional Office 11, and three sericulture model farmers in Misamids Oriental, Bukidnon, and Davao City for technical assistance on silkworm rearing and breeding for the commercialization of cocoon and silk yarn production through the establishment of model sericulture farms.

"The farms will be operated by farmer-entrepreneurs who are capable of putting up the required initial investments and have access to target markets," PTRI said.

• Misamis Oriental-Cagayan de Oro City Federation of Cooperatives (MCFEDCO), DOST Regional Office No. 10, and the local government units (LGUs) of Misamis Oriental for the implementation of an "Integrated Sericulture Project" with funding assistance from the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID). The project addressed the low-income problem of small farmers in Hinaplanan who are dependent on subsistence farming, carpentry, and construction work for their source of livelihood.

• Local government units of the province of Sarangani with Suyan-Pitak Multipurpose Cooperative as the proponent of the Sericulture Development Project in support of the administration program on "Kaunlaran Para sa Lahat, Mahalaga Bawat Isa". A marketing agreement for the cocoon produced was also forged between MCFEDCO and the cooperative.

The technical services program implemented by PTRI on silkworm rearing, silk hand reeling, and cocoon waste utilization also triggered rural village enterprise development in Mindanao.