Promotion of Sustainable Communities across the Philippines through Silk Production

Promotion of Sustainable Communities across the Philippines through Silk Production

Teaching the sericulture farmers on how and when to feed the silkworms is crucial to silk production
Sericulture graduates of OISCA now serve as the project`s extension workers
Dispatching of Japanese sericulture experts to teach the local farmers
Women laborers making silk yarn from silk waste (spunsilk)
Provision of jobs among the locals through our silkworm industry boosts and strengthens local and national economy
Locals undergo intensive sericulture training by local and Japanese experts prior to actual engagement to cocoon production
Delivery of silkworm and other necessary inputs to silkworm farmers.
Cocoons produced by sericulture farmers and processed in OISCA Bago Training Center

Year Started	1996
Name of Director	Mr. Watanabe Shigemi
Project Description and Activities	Initially started to improve the economic condition of the local farmers of Negros Islands who are dependent on the declining sugar industry. The project is designed to create a source of livelihood among the locals living in mountainous areas through the cocoon production and secure a stable source of income for the women in rural areas through weaving and manual extraction of spun silk from silk waste. Intensive trainings on sericulture production by local and Japanese experts at OISCA Bago Training Center prior to actual cocoon production. Provision of cocoon production inputs such as mulberry cuttings, silkworms, and rearing houses among the sericulture farmers. Cocoons produced by farmers are collected, reeled, and weaved at OISCA training center. Sericulture farmers receive technical assistance from local experts who have undergone trainings in Japan.
Project Impact	As the locals are provided with jobs, the project uplifted the economic conditions of the people, particularly women and elderly living in remote and mountainous areas. Reeling and weaving process of production are mainly operated by women and hence promotes women empowerment. The project helps in propelling the Philippine`s economy. The 1.5 metric tons of silk yarn annually produced under the project accounts for 90% of the country`s silk production.
Project Location	Luzon (Benguet and Nueva Vizcaya) Visayas (Aklan, Antique, Iloilo, and Negros Islands) Mindanao (Misamis Oriental)
Counterpart Agency	Provincial Government of Negros Occidental, The Fiber Industry Development Authority (FIDA), and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)