Beijing, Sep 2 (BRNN/APP): A modern smart silkworm factory in Zhongfan village, Chashui town of Qianshan, east China’s Anhui Province, is transforming the centuries-old silkworm-raising tradition.
Sericulture has deep roots in the village, but traditional methods were heavily reliant on weather and labor, making the industry vulnerable.
After Zhongfan was lifted out of poverty in 2016, rejuvenating the village’s traditional silkworm sector became a key focus. Party chief Yang Hongqi faced a formidable challenge.
“Introducing a modern workshop and equipment required at least 20 million yuan ($2.8 million) in startup capital, an astronomical figure for us at that time,” Yang recalled.
Instead of going fully automated, the village opted for a semi-automated method, creating a modern silkworm-raising facility that reduces expenses while retaining human participation in key processes.
Gone are the scattered mulberry leaves of the past in this bright, spacious facility, replaced by intelligent systems that finely regulate temperature, humidity and oxygen.
“The silkworm factory has achieved year-round, feed-based and intelligent silkworm raising, breaking free from the constraints of traditional methods,” Yang said.
“In the past, picking mulberry leaves and feeding silkworms was extremely laborious. Now we simply monitor equipment and provide feed at scheduled times. Silkworm raising is no longer backbreaking work,” said Yang, who has over 40 years of experience in silkworm raising.
By adopting a business model that integrates the village Party branch, a company, the silkworm-raising facility, and farmers, the village’s silkworm industrial park supplies high-quality silkworm larvae in six batches annually to more than 150 local households and professional breeders, raising household incomes by an average of 6,000 yuan.
“Previously, we could raise at most three batches a year. Now we can raise six, effectively doubling our income,” said one villager.
In 2024, the factory boosted the village’s collective income by 180,000 yuan and created employment opportunities for over 20 residents.
Beyond cocoon production, the local sericulture industry is branching into new areas. Products such as dried mulberries, mulberry leaf tea and mushrooms grown on mulberry branches have already reached the market, extending the industry chain.
Looking ahead, Yang said the village intends to promote agritourism with educational tours, hands-on activities and festivals centered around silkworms.
“We will continue to explore the potential of specialty products, including mushrooms and mulberry leaf tea, to make Zhongfan a well-known base for the silkworm industry,” he said.