ISLAMABAD, Mar. 25 (INP): Sindh Agriculture University (SAU), Pakistan, has started a project to raise the Chinese Mulberry plants, the university announced, according to Gwadar Pro.

The SAU has also launched research on sericulture and in this regard, a seminar was organized at Faculty of Crop Protection (FCP), where participants were informed about the project.

Six faculty experts would conduct research on environment and food which is required for silkworms. And a well-equipped research lab has been set up at FCP.

Addressing the seminar, Dr Jan Mohammad Marri - Pro-Vice Chancellor of SAU Sub Campus Umerkot - said that silkworms of Chinese breeds have been included in the experiments in this project for which six scholars have been provided complete facilities in the Department laboratory. He said Japanese breed was also inducted.

He maintained that after successful experiments, women, in particular, would be trained on how to get silk from silkworms and how to grow them.

SAU Professor Dr Abdullah Arijo informed that in the past more than 200 acres of Mulberry nursery was available, but it slowly disappeared, adding that cocoon production in Pakistan is very low, while the annual demand of the country for 750 metric tons of cocoon is met by imports from China, Iran, and Central Asian states.

Dr Imran Khatri, Professor, Department of Entomology, mentioned that more than 500 saplings were being planted and more saplings will be procured from China and Azad Jammu Kashmir.

He added that cooperation will be sought from industrial organizations and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) for training and supporting local women.

INP/Javed