Sunday, October 14, 2007 Aklan eyes raw silk of Kapangan
THE sericulture industry in Kapangan is gaining popularity as the province of Aklan is eyeing the town’s cocoon production to be used as raw material for its weaving industry.
Kapangan Mayor Robert Canuto said some small and medium entrepreneurs visited the town this month to verify the availability of silk to fit into weaving as its One-Town, One-Product (Otop) utilizing various materials.
Canuto said the group visited the plantation site and was able to witness the raising cocoons and the reeling process. The entrepreneurs bought some samples to Aklan for testing to ensure that the produce is of high quality.
Showing interest and diligence, Canuto said the group is bent on coming back and want to be assured of the volume of production should they decide to pursue the purchase of raw silk from the town.
The group is also inviting a delegation from Kapangan to be assured of an open market in Aklan. Canuto said should the partnership prosper, they would forge an agreement through the assistance of the Fiber Industry and Development Authority (Fida).
Meanwhile, some 76 farmer cooperative-members, under the auspices of the Department of Labor and Employment, Fida and the local government unit are undergoing a one-month extensive training on sericulture in Tabao, Kapangan, which would end on October 18.
The training would equip participants on the whole process of cocoon production, which initially starts with preparations for the mulberry production as source of food for silkworm and rearing of cocoons, among others.
Started during the past administration under then Mayor Rogelio Leon, Canuto said he is in full support of the sustainability of the program. The LGU released P60,000 for the Kapangan Environment and Livelihood Multi-Purpose Cooperative, which is spearheading the sericulture industry. This would be used as a revolving fund to purchase cocoons of farmers, Canuto said.
