On Aug. 18, 2020, Kapihan sa DMMMSU featured sericulture, the production of silk and the rearing of silkworms. Dr. Cristeta Gapuz, Executive Director of the Sericulture Research and Development Institute (SRDI) discussed sericulture and other topics related to sericulture.

Silkworm production starts with the planting of mulberry trees as the primary food source of silkworms for them to grow and be able to produce quality cocoons. Mulberry leaves are fed to the silkworms, while the fruit of the tree are used for wine and vinegar production.

Silkworms feed continually on mulberry leaves for 20 to 25 days until they mature and spin their cocoon within 24 to 48 hours. After that, they enclose themselves inside their cocoon until their silk threads are ready for extraction.

The cocoons are dried and cooked in order that the silk fiber is loosened.  The silk fiber is softened so that silk yarn can be unwound from the cocoon through a reeling machine.  The silk yarn passes through more processes until it is ready for weaving. The silk yarn may also be dyed before it is woven.

Considering the long and tedious process of silk production, Dr. Gapuz said that the price of silk products produced by SRDI is much lower compared with those from other silk producers. SRDI produces silk woven products like suksuk, sablay, blouses, and shawls. It also produces leis and bouquets from cocoons.

Dr. Gapuz encourages farmers to continuously go into silkworm farming. Products can be sold locally and abroad. Raw materials such as the cocoons can also be sold separately. What makes the products expensive is the design and the process itself. Anyone interested to venture into the business can be assured of good investment.