Farmers abandon silk worm-rearing
Jan 27, 2007
Farmers have abandoned silk worm-rearing due to lack of market for the cocoons, sources have disclosed.
By Macrines Nyapendi
Farmers have abandoned silk worm-rearing due to lack of market for the cocoons, sources have disclosed.
The sericulture sector has failed to live up to its expectations. Most donors and would-be donors have cut ties with the sector due to inefficiency.
“Silk production and exports are insignificant. That is why they are not reflected in the export statistics. The sector’s management is not streamlined. As a result, silk cocoon procurement was halted,†said a source at the Uganda Export Promotions Board.
The sector became infamous in the late 1990s when it collapsed shortly after the European Union injected $2m.
The sector was revived in 2002 by the African Development Fund, the International Fund for Agriculture Development and the International Centre for Insect Physiology and Entomology, who invested sh425m.
The financial and technical support boosted farm gate prices by 16%.
Farmers have abandoned silk worm-rearing due to lack of market for the cocoons, sources have disclosed.
The sericulture sector has failed to live up to its expectations. Most donors and would-be donors have cut ties with the sector due to inefficiency.
“Silk production and exports are insignificant. That is why they are not reflected in the export statistics. The sector’s management is not streamlined. As a result, silk cocoon procurement was halted,†said a source at the Uganda Export Promotions Board.
The sector became infamous in the late 1990s when it collapsed shortly after the European Union injected $2m.
The sector was revived in 2002 by the African Development Fund, the International Fund for Agriculture Development and the International Centre for Insect Physiology and Entomology, who invested sh425m.
The financial and technical support boosted farm gate prices by 16%.