The Sunday Nation has a feature article in its Lifestyle section on silk making in the semi-arid district of Mwingi in Kenya. Apparently, the silk worm used is a hybrid of the wild species found in the area and the domestic strain. People collect eggs in the bush and rear them in mosquito net cages. When it comes time to harvest the cocoons, some of the pupae are allowed to mature and fly back to the acacia bushes. The Commercial Insect Programme of the International Centre for Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) has helped a local womens’ group establish the first silk processing factory in the region. According to the article, a different race of the wild silk moth is being evaluated in Pokot and other highland areas for the production of tussar or kosa silk. This is a much prized form of naturally coloured silk produced from cocoons from which the moth has emerged naturally in the wild. Fascinating business.
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Tim Robinson updates us on livestock data at FAO:
…We had, of course, been working on the collection of the underlying livestock statistics, and the spatial modelling to produce the maps, for many years prior to them being published on the FAO website … but that is all quickly forgotten when they are re-distributed by a third party.
For your information, we have been beavering away since then, collecting more recent and detailed sub-national livestock statistics and disaggregating these using a slightly modified modelling approach, and 1 km multi-temporal, Fourier-processed MODIS imagery from the University of Oxford…
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{ 27 comments… read them below or add one }
I’d like some more information on silk farming. Where could I get it? Please send me the relevant contacts??
From you name you seem Kenyan, is that correct? I did a quick search on the internet and it looks like ICIPE and UNDP are involved in support to silk farming in Kenya. Also an organization called Biovision.
I would like to get information on silk worm rearing and get assistance to begin small time. Send me the relevant contacts.
Hello there Betty. For contacts in Kenya, see my previous post above. Where are you located?
It looks a very interesting business. Please send me full information on silk farming, if this project can be done from any part of the country, climate conditions
hey luigi. i am really interested in silk rearing. i would like you to give me the details where i would get the eggs,mulberry leaves and the requirements for the rearing. thank you
hi, could you help me by sending to me the figure on the real amount of silk that are produced in kenya both from wild and the domesticated silk please give me also the contribution from the different parts of the country. thanks in advance. fred
Hi,
I come from a cold area (tea growing zone). Would this kind of climate be ok for silk farming? If yes, I would like to try. Please send me more information on how to go about it.
Thank you
Joyce
hi, i would really love to know more about this silk farming, the climate, the economic gains and everyhting else that pertains to the business of silk. thanks
Hi,
Am a lecturer and reseacher in textile fibres from Moi University and keenly interested in sericulture. Would like to know how i could access contacts of farmers and resource persons in Riftvalley, Nyanza and western provinces of Kenya. Thanks
What is the farmgate price for silk?
hello! please give me more details on silk in kenya, how is it sold and if it is spinned
Hi, could you help me by sending to me the figure on the real amount of silk that is produced in kenya both from wild and the domesticated silk please give me also the contribution from the different parts of the country especially near nairobi or nyeri in central kenya where I can find a sample. Thanks in advance.prisca
i have been quite interested in butterfly farming. i have been looking fro information on the same particularly where to get butterflies for starting the project, type of feeding material, market for pupa.
i am situated in Meru boundaring Isiolo.
Kindly help with information.
Lucy.
HALLO
I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW where the cocoons are sold after havest thanks
hi, I am interested in the silkworm farming, am based in kericho and wish to be involved in the venture how can i get the full information thank you in advance
hallo. am realy interested in doing the project how do i start where is it sold please fill me in very soon
HI, AM a trainer in the MLSD and i would request your assistance in silk culture since this is the way to go in kenya and am very much interested
saya minta tolong diberikan informasi tentang industri sutra emas, soalnya di daerah saya (sulut) sangat potensial untuk mengembangkan Circulla trifenestrata, tolong info ke email saya, thx
Hello everyone that has a passion for sericulture. Am pleased to let you know that you can get all the information you need. Visit us at the National Sericulture Station-Thika (KARI grounds).
We offer trainings and guide you until you establish your business.
We also buy cocoon from farmers and also link them to other processors.
Yes sericulture is a way to go for Kenya as the climatic condition is conducive for the business.
kindly i need some clarification on whether the existing cotton gineries or other textile factories could process the silk? we have farmers in the north rift who are willing to engage in the business how can they be helped?
kindly i need some clarification on whether the existing cotton gineries or other textile factories could process the silk? we have farmers in the north rift who are willing to engage in the business how can they be helped?
I am interested in rearing silkworms. Kindly assist me with information on how to do it. Am ready to start any time, I guess i should start with planting the mulberry first. Where to get it?
Hi Christine. Perhaps you could start with the KARI station at Thika: http://agro.biodiver.se/2007/01/silk-making-in-kenya/#comment-923653
lam interested in rearing mulberry worms ,where can l get these worms n when do u offer training
I am interested in silkworm rearing please send me the details and contact person.
Thanks.
Its really interesting to know that Kenya has potentiality to produce silk.well as someone who has been involved in farming and farming researches,I realized we have poor marketing,how have the bodies involved caring for this?am located at Maragua few kms from thika town.i have over 5acres of land with plenty of water throughout the year,am soo much intrested.who can asist in this.I’ll be so happy to hear from one concerned.thank you
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