Politics · Philippines Bureau
Benguet to lead Philippines' sericulture revival effort
The government is reviving a dormant mulberry farming operation in Benguet province as part of a broader push to rebuild the country's silk industry and achieve domestic production self-sufficiency.
LSN Philippines ·
BAGUIO CITY — A decades-old mulberry enterprise in Benguet province is being repositioned as the cornerstone of the government's ambitious plan to restore the Philippines' sericulture sector.
Science Secretary Renato Solidum announced that the facility, which operated during the 1970s, has been designated as the Northern Luzon sericulture hub under a new government initiative aimed at revitalizing silk production in the country.
The move represents a significant shift in agricultural policy, with officials emphasizing the need to develop a reliable local supply chain for silk rather than relying on imports. The Benguet operation is expected to serve as a model for sericulture development across the northern region.
The sericulture sector, which encompasses the cultivation of silkworms and production of raw silk, had largely diminished in the Philippines over recent decades. Officials hope the revival effort will create new economic opportunities for rural farming communities while reducing the country's dependence on foreign silk sources.
The government initiative is expected to involve technical training, modern equipment, and support systems to ensure the sustainability and competitiveness of the revived industry.