The Department of Sericulture researches new silk varieties, NAN X J108 which is high yield in the north and in winter” explains Prakob Phaopong, Director-General of the Sericulture Department
Thailand’s Department of Sericulture researches has developed a new silk variety NAN X J108 (a cross between NAN and J108) that can be raised well in the north. Especially in winter most high cocoons yield large yellow cocoons high fresh nest weight and good nest shell weight have a higher nest shell percentage. Helps to increase income for the farmers.
The sericulture industry in the northern region It is a commercial sericulture where sericulture farmers are the main occupation. There are entrepreneurs who come to buy cocoon products. The Sericulture Department encourages farmers to grow sericulture according to market-led production policy in the contract farming system. There is a contract or agreement between each other (Contract Farming), which currently operators need Buying 5,000 tons of cocoons from farmers per year, but farmers produce only 2,000 tons of cocoons per year, still a production insufficient to meet market demand One of the reasons was that farmers produced a small number of cocoons. Due to the lack of silk varieties that produce high yields and are suitable for the area’s conditions and farming in each season. As a result, farmers are at high risk in raising silkworms. Due to low surviving percentages and efficient cocoon production, there is not enough cocoon production every year to feed and send to entrepreneurs.
To ensure business continuity, the Silk Mulberry Department researched and improves silk varieties to create silk that is strong and grows well. It can increase productivity both in terms of the quantity and quality of silk thread.
Silkworm variety NAN X J108 (a cross between NAN and J108) from the yellow cocoon NAN (NAN) mixed with the white cocoon J108, is an international variety. According to the research study, it was found that the new silkworm species Able to feed well, giving high yields of cocoons in the northern region especially in winter most have good agricultural characteristics large yellow cocoon high fresh nest weight and good nest shell weight It has a greater percentage of the nest shell, about 20 – 21 percent, has good fertilization characteristics, is easy to fling, and gives a large fiber length to the nest. And can increase the income from the sale of cocoon products is high.
The Sericulture Department is committed to helping farmers increase production. Therefore, research has been brought to help improve silkworm breeding until new and more efficient silkworm varieties are obtained. The Department will bring the new silkworm species to encourage farmers who grow mulberry silkworms in the northern region to breed in the winter. Interspersed with raising silkworm breeds that were raised in the original breeding Yellow Saraburi (J108 x Nang Lai Saraburi) in other seasons so that farmers can increase cocoon yield. in line with market demands And continue to generate stable income for farmers, ”said the Director-General of the Sericulture Department.
