Dhading, December 28:

Farmers in several VDCs of Dhading district have been raising silkworms and producing raw silk for the past few months.

They are increasingly attracted to this business as the income from sale of the produce is very good. More so, when the investment is nominal and risk is minimal.

Silk is woven from the cocoons that silkworms produce after consuming white mulberry leaves. Farmers are receiving grant for rearing silkworms and growing white mulberry trees for feeding the silkworms. After feeding on the leaves the worms produce produce koya, the white raw material used to manufacture silk.

Over 450 households in seven VDCs of Dhading district are actively engaged in this enterprise under Sericulture Promotion Programme that was implemented as a pilot project in Dhunesbesi of Dhading 13 years ago.

Some entrepreneurs are earning Rs 1,50,000 per year, said Project Protection Officer Nilesh Kunwar.

Silkworms were given to the farmers at Rs 25 per box of worms. Each box contains 20,000 worms. Normally, a box of worms produces 20-25 kg of raw materials and each kg of raw materials cost Rs 212.

Farmers with low income and no land have greatly benefited from the business as silkworms can be reared four times a year based on regulation of temperature needed for worms and cultivation of mulberry trees.

The Japanese Assistance Agency, JICA has been providing technical services and cooperation for the promotion of sericulture, including rearing worms, growing mulberry trees and keeping the worms in dry habitat.

JICA has also deputed local volunteers for promoting cultivation and necessary technical assistance, said JICA Alumnae Association Nepal vice-president Dilliratna Shakya, adding that the agency would extend its technical cooperation as per the need and convergence of farmers to this business.

He added that if sericulture was adopted on a massive scale, it would benefit all those rural people who do not have adequate land.