In a bid to revive the local sericulture sector, Mahasarakham University, an academic institution based in Northeastern Thailand, is providing technical assistance to a new silk research centre established by the Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP) and to silk communities around the country.
Professor Motoyuki Sumida, sericulture expert at Mahasarakham University, who is now in Cambodia leading a delegation of silk experts, told Khmer Times on Saturday that they are providing technical support on growing mulberry trees, building rearing houses as well as raising and breeding silkworms.
He said this is the first time his university is cooperating with RUPP.
Visiting a farm in Kampong Speu’s Oral district that is being supported by RUPP’s research centre, Mr Sumida said the local sericulture industry has great potential. “We would like to do the best we can to support communities like this.”
“We have a close collaboration with RUPP, so we can support them and their partnering communities around the country with advice anytime they need it,” he said.
RUPP’s silk research centre is still under construction, and expected to be finished by July. The centre will tackle every step involved in producing silk, from silkworm rearing and silk reeling to weaving and dyeing. Their findings will be shared with local farmers to aid the development of the industry.
Mey Kalyan, chairman of the Board of Trustees at RUPP, said Cambodia must make the most out of this collaboration with a Thai research centre. He said Thailand currently boasts around 20 silk research centres and ample expertise that can help the local sericulture industry advance.
“We started our centre less than a year ago, so we can really benefit from their help as an established research facility,” he said.
