Mulberry silk and Tea

Village silk production is a cyclical process which utilizes local resources and supports all aspects of village life. The Lao Sericulture Company works with village producers in order to ensure that the cycle remains environmentally sustainable and continues to be a positive impact in the community. The cycle starts and ends with the planting of mulberry saplings. These saplings will produce fruit for dyes and eating, bark for tea, leaves for organic fertilizer and food for growing silkworms. The silkworms continue the cycle by producing cocoons and nutrient rich waste that can be used as fertilizer for mulberry and food crops. Transforming cocoons into silk thread is the next step, and nothing is wasted in this process. The unreelable outer layer on the cocoon is saved to create stuffing in pillows and blankets. The silkworm pupae are enjoyed by the Lao villagers who find them an excellent source of protein. Even the silk water is saved as the women prize it as a skin moisturizer. The new thread is dyed with natural dyes and then woven by skilled artisans. The resulting products are sold on local and foreign markets and the resulting surplus is cycled back to the villagers in the form of mulberry saplings, rearing tools, or training opportunities. Mulberry leaves are the sole source of nutrition for growing silkworms. They take water, protein, carbohydrates, fat, anorganic salts and vitamins from these leaves. If the silk producer is planning for a moderate (20,000 worm) silkworm harvest, s/he will plant around 2,000 cuttings and tend them for 8 months to a year before starting to raise silkworms. A producer must have 500-600 kg of leaves to feed 20,000 worms through their life cycle. The trees are grown from 20-25 cm branch cuttings, which are carefully placed in the ground with organic compost. In order to keep the soil healthy, legume grass can also be planted around the cuttings. This prevents soil erosion, and adds nutrient-rich biomass to the topsoil. As the trees grow, they are constantly pruned in order to increase crop yield and keep the tree at a convenient height for harvesting. The growing of mulberry trees is a sustainable and rewarding option for the Lao village farmer. It provides a sustainable alternative to both the customary practice of slash and burn agriculture (which has caused extensive deforestation and severe soil degradation) and the prevalent cash crop of opium poppies. When raised correctly, a crop of mulberry trees can rejuvenate the earth, prevent soil erosion, provide delicious mulberry fruit, and translate into a worthwhile profit for the farmer. In order for the village producer to raise healthy silkworms, s/he must have rearing house. The house will keep pests and diseases out, and maintain the temperature and humidity for silkworm rearing. These houses are primarily constructed from locally available materials, such as bamboo, and are built by the potential producer. However, acquiring a rearing house remains a big investment for the producer. It requires both a solid cement floor ($100-$150 U.S.) and adequate tools for rearing silkworms ($50). Villagers often need an extension of credit in order to pay for these necessities. This credit is provided by the Lao Sericulture Company, in partnership with international non-governmental organizations. It is given on the condition that when more people in the community wish to build their own rearing houses, the original producers will help them with the costs out of their own earnings from silk production.

Leaves&Worms

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