October 1, 2023. Sericulture, the intricate art of silk production, represents a powerful avenue for community transformation in Kalinga Province. Through cultivating mulberry plants, rearing silkworms, and producing silk yarn, Kalinga State University champions sericulture as a tool for economic development, poverty alleviation, and cultural preservation. The initiative is part of KSU’s commitment to its core functions: instruction, research, extension, and production.
KSU envisions sericulture as a means of building resilient rural communities while offering a sustainable livelihood to Kalinga’s farmers. Sericulture introduces a profitable industry to rural areas, contributing to job creation and economic improvement while curbing urban migration. As silk production has traditionally been associated with affluent markets, the industry channels resources from wealthier consumers to rural communities, ultimately uplifting the local population.
KSU’s capacity-building program includes training farmers, researchers, extension workers, and technical experts to cultivate and process silk with high efficiency and quality. Workshops and technical sessions educate participants in futures thinking and sustainability practices to ensure the industry’s longevity. This knowledge empowers participants to produce quality silk products, with the added focus of incorporating Kalinga’s traditional designs, preserving cultural heritage, and bringing unique products to the market.
Sericulture’s benefits extend beyond silk production alone. Mulberry trees—the primary food source for silkworms—offer numerous valuable by-products. The fruit is rich in vitamins and minerals, while roots, bark, and leaves have applications in herbal medicine. Some woody mulberry varieties provide termite-resistant timber for toys and sports equipment, while mulberry branches serve as a fuel source in rural areas. Additionally, mulberry leaves can be used as livestock fodder, and planting mulberry trees on embankments helps prevent soil erosion.
The silkworm by-products are equally valuable. Silkworm pupae, rich in oil, are used in cosmetics, while the protein-rich pupal cake can feed poultry and fish. Silkworm litter also serves as a source for biogas, providing clean energy to rural households. Through these diverse applications, sericulture promotes both economic growth and environmental sustainability in Kalinga.
KSU’s focus on sericulture underscores the university’s dedication to fostering local industry and reducing poverty. By helping local farmers enter the high-value silk market, KSU not only enhances economic opportunities but also empowers the community. Sericulture strengthens Kalinga’s local economy, supports rural industrialization, and preserves the cultural heritage, making it an ideal fit with KSU’s mission to drive positive change through education, research, and community collaboration.
