The Standard Group Plc is a multi-media organization
with investments in media platforms spanning newspaper print operations,
television, radio broadcasting, digital and online services. The Standard Group
is recognized as a leading multi-media house in Kenya with a key influence in
matters of national and international interest.
Elias Kimanthi and Morris Gitonga at a farm in GItijiwe in Imenti South, Meru County where they do silk farming. PHOTO: LISPER NYAKIO.
Traversing the southern part of Meru, Imenti South, in the scorching afternoon sun reveals that the area enjoys some cool breeze thanks to the numerous trees species of the mulberry and castor oil plant.
At Gitijiwe village, we meet Morris Gitonga, 29 in his half-acre farm where he has planted castor oil plants. Gitonga rears the Eri species of the silkworm in a wooden structure measuring 12 by 14 feet. He has stocked over 40,000 silkworms that he acquires from the International Centre for Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) in Nairobi.
From the 40,000 silkworms, Gitonga manages 40 kilograms of silk a month which he sells at Sh1,500 a kilo translating to over Sh60,000 a month.
Gitonga is not the only one rearing the silkworms as numerous youth and women groups in the region also practice the farming thanks to Timothy Mutugi, an accountant and finance specialist who developed and inculcated the idea to the groups.
Though a specialist in a different field, Mutugi’s love for farming did not hinder him from engaging in agriculture with the aim of helping the youth by coming up with a venture that will not only entice them but will also, give them a stable source of income.
“I have grown up seeing people do agriculture and especially farming: coffee, tea, maize, beans, and vegetables but challenges like diseases, erratic rains, and poor markets reduced the yields, compelling many youths to seek alternative sources of livelihood other than agriculture,” Mutugi explains adding that “For me, silkworm farming was the ultimate solution for the youths and women groups in the semi-arid regions as the farming not only requires small portions of land but was also a safer investment that is less cumbersome and one that assures farmers of a stable income monthly.
Upon introducing the technology to the youth and women groups, it did not disappoint but instead gave them a stable source of income as it turned out that the venture was less vulnerable to climate change, less cumbersome, cheap, did not consume a greater portion of land, was interesting and had a low maturity date.
The youth and women groups started by planting the mulberry and castor oil plants which are readily adapted to the region and are also drought tolerant.
Silkworm farming has thus transformed the environment by not only increasing the coverage of the trees but by also creating a conducive environment thus helping reduce carbon emissions. Farming has also helped create employment for both the youth and women as more tree nurseries for both mulberry and castor trees are established.
Both trees also came with an added advantage as it turned out that the mulberry tree also acts as fodder for livestock and produces fruits that have numerous benefits.
With the silkworm feed ready, they sourced for the silkworm eggs from the International Centre for Insect Physiology and Ecology (Icipe) in Nairobi.
Elias Kimanthi and his wife who own a three-quarter acre where they have grown castor oil plant on a quarter acre piece of land, rearing 20,000 silkworms say that the income derived from the silkworm farming has enabled them to comfortably run their home and at the same time enabled Kimanthi enroll in a software engineering course. They manage 20 kilograms generating an income of Sh30,000 a month.
“Silkworm farming entails following certain procedures which farmers need to understand, as the development of the silkworm is totally dependent on the farmer and missing one step translates to a farmer not getting good quality silk,” Mutugi explains.
The silkworm moth is quite important throughout its developmental stages as the silkworm molts (shedding of skin) at least four times before they mature to pupae where they are covered in well-rolled cocoons which are the sources or raw silk. Ultimate care should be observed during the developmental stage. During the larva stage, which takes between 25 to 30days, a farmer should ensure adequate feed where farmers are advised to start with the tender leaves.
When the silkworms enter the 5th stage, they stop eating and are ready to start spinning their cocoon ready for pupation, at this stage, the farmers should transfer them to specially woven mats with small rows as to allow them to attach and start spinning their cocoon where the farmer should avoid overcrowding of mats.
Want to get latest farming tips and videos? Join Us
The Standard Group Plc is a multi-media organization
with investments in media platforms spanning newspaper print operations,
television, radio broadcasting, digital and online services. The Standard Group
is recognized as a leading multi-media house in Kenya with a key influence in
matters of national and international interest.
How to handle chicken before slaughter
Role of water in animal health and productivity
In Kenya, livestock farming stands as a testament to tradition and resilience
9 causes of decreased egg production in flock
Why your cow can't get pregnant after using AI
How to reduce mortality on your new poultry farm
Effective parasite control in your herd
join 