KHUJAND, June 9, Asia-Plus  -- Silkworm breeders in the northern Sughd province are nearing fulfillment of the cocoon-gathering target, Asia-Plus has learned from Alihser Mirkholiqov, an agronomist with the Sughd silkworm-breeding directorate, Pilla. 

According to him, the Sughd silkworm breeders have gathered 1,014 tons of cocoons so far, which is 78.1 percent of the target.  Silkworm-breeders of Asht and Konibodom have already fulfilled there targets, while farmers of Spitamen, Ghonchi and Bobojonghafurov districts are nearing fulfillment of the target  

            “The Bobojonghfurov district, which is Sughd’s largest cocoon producer, has produced 304.4 tons of cocoons so far,” the agronomist said.  

This year, the Sughd province plans to produce 1,299 tons of cocoons and they will be sent for processing to the Khujand-based joint venture VT-Silk.

Last year’s target was determined at 1,599 tons of cocoons, and the province managed to reach 52.6 percent of the target, producing 841 tons of cocoons.  “Many silkworm eggs perished from various diseases last year,” Mirkholiqov said, noting that practically all silkworm eggs were delivered to the province from China.  

            The agronomist added that purchasing price for raw silk has increased from $0.95 in 2007 to $1.15 per one kilogram.