From poverty reduction capital, people in the poorest commune of Dak Nong province have invested in raising silkworms in a closed manner, bringing in tens of millions of VND/month in revenue.
For nearly two years now, Ms. Dam Thi Dep’s family (village 8, Quang Hoa commune, Dak Glong district, Dak Nong province) has returned to growing mulberry and raising silkworms. Once attached to this profession, but due to unstable output, in the past, Ms. Dep and her husband quit the profession to look for another job for a while.
From poverty reduction capital, Ms. Dep’s family was supported with loans and re-production in the form of closed silkworm farming.
Instead of raising them in a temporary house like before, Ms. Dep’s family built a level 4 house, about 80 square meters wide, so that the silkworms have a suitable space to grow.
Introducing the silkworm farming area, Ms. Dep wryly said that the silkworm farming area is more spacious and sturdy than the place where her family lives. However, thanks to the investment in upgrading the barns, the silkworms grow well and bring about clear economic efficiency.
“Silkworms are raised right on the ground to avoid scratches and at the same time save on cleaning costs after each harvest season,” Ms. Dep said.
According to experience, silkworms are often attacked by flies. That’s why, over the past two years, people in Quang Hoa commune have been telling each other how to “put up mosquito nets” for silkworms to live in.
By this method, the situation of diseased and festering silkworms is minimized, helping people minimize risks and losses during the production process.
“Each month, my family can raise 2 batches of silkworms (an average of 15 days/ batch). With the cocoon price of about 200,000-220,000 VND/kg, for each batch of silkworms, my family earns about 7-7.5 million thanks to selling cocoons”, Ms. Dep added.
Also according to Ms. Dep’s share, raising silkworms in a mosquito net requires compliance with hygiene procedures. Every time the silkworms are fed, the farmer must disinfect and regularly reinforce the screen to prevent insects from entering the silkworm rearing room.
Like Ms. Dep, a few years ago, due to lack of capital, Ms. Ma Thi Sam, village 7, Quang Hoa commune, only invested in raising silkworms on a small scale.
According to Ms. Sam, in the past, silkworm farming was difficult, silkworms were easily infected with diseases, so the farming efficiency was not high. Since the model of raising silkworms on the ground and using anti-insect nets was applied, farmers do not have to endure the situation of “eating standing up” and suffering losses due to infected silkworms dying.
“Thanks to changing farming methods, silkworm rearing, cocoon care and the harvesting process are much less time-consuming. In recent years, cocoon prices have stabilized, with each box of silkworms (about 1kg of silkworm seed), farmers People can earn 15 million VND/month,” Ms. Sam said.
According to the People’s Committee of Quang Hoa commune, in 2022 and 2023, the entire commune will have 150 poor and near-poor households supported in implementing the mulberry growing and silkworm raising model, with a total cost of 3.1 billion VND.
Mr. Tran Quang Mao, Chairman of Quang Hoa Commune People’s Committee, assessed: “Strawberry planting and silkworm rearing are consistent with local orientations, helping to maximize the exploitation of natural and human strengths. Silkworm farming is low cost, Capital turnover is fast and cocoon prices are stable, so in fact, many farming households escape poverty and get rich from this profession.”
($1=24,000 VND)
Photo,Video: Internet