Three personnel of the Sericulture Research and Development Institute (SRDI), namely Engr. Joanna Rose Angayen, Ms. Cristine Joy Enriquez, and Mr. Glen Peralta completed the 28-day training on Sericulture and Silk Industry held at Central Sericultural Research and Training Institute (CSRTI), Mysore, Karnataka, India on September 3 to 30, 2023.

India has the unique distinction of being the only country producing all the known commercial varieties of natural silk — Mulberry, Tasar, Eri, and Muga. With the new developments taking place in the field of sericulture, the 4-week training and development activity covered the following subjects: 1) mulberry cultivation technologies, 2) silkworm rearing, 3) silkworm seed production technology, 4) extension management and transfer of technology, and 5) post-cocoon technology.

The trainees and other participants from 14 countries also underwent practical sessions, group discussions, and field visits focused on soil analysis, silkworm rearing, pest management, silk cocoon marketing, and reeling technology.

Central Sericultural Research and Training Institute (CSRTI), Mysore, is the pioneer Sericultural Research Institute under the Central Silk Board engaged in research and developing technologies to increase productivity and improve the quality of silk produced. Besides R&D, CSTRI also conducts training programs to assist the sericulture industry and replicate the successful model of commercial sericulture practice in developing countries. (By JAngayen)