KHUJAND, July 9, 2010, Asia-Plus -- Sughd silkworm breeders have failed to reach even the 2009 production level, according to the Sughd agriculture directorate.

The source says 20,800 boxes of silkworm eggs have been distributed to silkworm breeders in the districts of Asht, Mastchoh, Spitamen, Jabborrasulov, Ghonchi, Konibodom, Panjakent, and Isfara.  “Local species silkworm eggs have been distributed to farmers,” said the source, “Besides, 30,000 boxes of silkworm eggs were imported last year from South Korea; they were used to produce seed stock.  They were also distributed to silkworm breeders.”

This year, local silkworm breeders produced 395 tons of raw silk, which is 517 tons fewer than last year.  In 2009, Sughd silkworm breeders produced 912 tons of raw silk.