“Narumon” Announces Upgrading Silk Industry to Boost Soft Power.

Chiang Mai: Mrs. Narumon Pinyosinwat, Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, has announced a strategic initiative to elevate the silk industry, aiming to transform it into a significant soft power. This effort includes processing enhancements, value addition, expanded planting areas, and increased income for farmers. According to Thai News Agency, during a field visit to J.T. Silk Farm in San Kamphaeng, Pa Daet Subdistrict, Mrs. Narumon elaborated on the ministry's policy of 'Market-led, Innovation-enhanced, Increased Income'. This policy is focused on upgrading high-value products and services through the Sericulture Department, an agency established by the royal initiative of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit the Queen Mother. The department is dedicated to comprehensive sericulture management and operates 25 Sericulture Centers in Honor of Her Majesty the Queen. The Chiang Mai center, in particular, is tasked with conserving, researching, and developing quality mulberry and silkworm eggs, alongside supporting mulberry farmers across Chiang Mai, Lamphun, Lampang, and Mae Hong Son provinces. In Chiang Mai alone, 97 mulberry farmers work on a planting area of 205 rai. Mrs. Narumon highlighted that there is a notable gap between the demand and supply of silk cocoons, with entrepreneurs seeking 5,000 tons annually while farmers produce only 2,000 tons. To address this shortfall, the Sericulture Department is implementing policies to encourage more farmers to enter the profession, supported by public, government, and private sector collaborations. These include research and development of improved silk breeds, adoption of innovative techniques in mulberry planting and silk farming, and joint production planning to meet market standards. The Sericulture Center's past efforts have enabled farmers to produce 1.2 tons of cocoons annually, generating an income of 225,264 baht, and 10 tons of mulberry leaves, generating 102,576 baht per year. Plans are underway to expand these benefits to mulberry farmers in the upper north ern region. Promoting the career of mulberry farmers is a key mission for the Ministry, with a focus on providing steady income and career stability. Collaboration with the private sector to align with market demands has successfully transformed silk products and added value through modern technology and innovations. The adoption of the BCG model in production has preserved natural resources and strengthened farmer groups. J.T. Silk Co., Ltd., founded in 2003, exemplifies this initiative by operating mulberry plantations and silk farming, producing silk protein products for the beauty industry. The Sericulture Department supports the company by providing quality silk eggs and knowledge on achieving quality standards, including organic certification. Future plans include expanding organic mulberry plantations in Chiang Mai and the northern region to promote sustainability and increase farmers' income.