KHUJAND, June 21, 2011, Asia-Plus -- Silkworm breeders in the northern Sughd province have failed to fulfill this year’s target due to drought, according to the Sughd silkworm breeding department, Pila.

As of June 20, local farmers produced 550.1 tons of cocoons, which is only 55.9 percent of the target, the source said.  According to him, high temperatures have seriously affected mulberry trees in the area.  “In some districts, the trees even withered due to lack of water,” said he.  “The most serious situation is in Mastchoh and Zafarobod districts.”

The limited liability company, Dusti Afghoniston, and the limited liability company, VT-Silk (Tajik-Vietnamese joint venture), have invested totaling 1.9 million somoni in silkworm breeding in northern Tajikistan.  “Practically all silkworm eggs have been delivered from China and they were of good quality,” the source said.

According to him, to stimulate enhancement of the sector investors have decided to pay silkworm breeders nearly five times more than last year.  “Unfortunately, not all farmers have believed their promises and part of farmers has rejected silkworm breeding this year,” the source noted.

Local experts say silkworm breeders will not be able to fulfill this year’s cocoon production target determined at 1,000 tons.

Some ten percent of the cocoon Sughd province produced this year will be processed into manufactured goods in the province, while the remainder will be exported for manufacturing outside the country.