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Published on September 17, 2007

The Agricultural Land Reform Office recently inked an agreement with Thai Num Chok Textile to promote the cultivation of Irri silkworms among cassava farmers in Nakhon Ratchasima.

Secretary-general Anant Phoositthikul said last week that under contract farming, yarn from the project would directly supply manufacturers in the province, which need at least one tonne per day.

"We aim for the project to increase not only income for farmers but also cassava yields," he said, adding that each farmer would earn an extra Bt5,000-Bt10,000 monthly.

Anant said Irri silkworms featured high disease resistance and a short lifecycle of 45-48 days.

Farmers can feed the worms cassava leaves and produce four to five batches of cocoons a year.

According to research from Kasetsart University, getting rid of the leaves the right way will increase cassava yields.

Irri silkworms are not popular among farmers in some provinces that grow cassava such as Khon Kaen, Nakhon Sawan and Uthai Thani. However, the silkworm is popular in many countries such as India, China and Vietnam.

Bandit Pongsarojanawith, managing director of Thai Num Chok Textile, said farmers could apply to join the project and sell cocoons to the company.

"The company plans to promote silk more commercially by creating a variety of products and designs, including fabrics, blankets, curtains, tablecloths and bed sheets," he said. later

The new products will focus initially on the domestic market and will later be exported to Japan.