Nakuru farmers have been encouraged to venture in silk worming as an agribusiness.
Speaking in Mai Mahiu at proposed research Centre, an official from National Seri culture Tim Njujuna said silk worms have been known for the production of expensive cloth making materials known as silk.
He said worm farming has not been fully embraced in Nakuru County, adding that it is due to lack of farmers’ knowledge on how to keep them and their belief that every worm is a pest.
Njuguna said the station came up with the sensitization programme because rearing of the silk worm is a profitable agribusiness activity like any other farming activity.
He said the station will sell works to farmers at subsidized price, to persuade them to commercially practice their farming.
He added that a batch of 20,000 will be going for for Sh500, where he assured farmers of farm preparation and monitoring of the worms rearing by the station's farm technicians.
The officer clarified that the works will give them good returns, since their eggs can be collected and sold adding that the female silk worm can deposit approximately 300-400 eggs at a time.
He added that the worm will be a source of raw fibre, and its waste will be used for mania hence no loss to farmers.
Njuguna further promised farmers who will try the new venture that the station will provide the required species of leaves that the worms will feed on, known as mulberry leaves.
He added that the leaves help in boosting the silk production level.