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Agricultural
A low-cost home project that rears silkworms on mulberry leaves and sells the natural silk cocoons to traders and silk workshops, in short 35-day cycles.
Where it fits:SyriaTürkiyeIndonesiaYemenMoroccoNigeriaThe Gambia
Agricultural
A low-cost home project that rears silkworms on mulberry leaves and sells the natural silk cocoons to traders and silk workshops, in short 35-day cycles.
Where it fits:SyriaTürkiyeIndonesiaYemenMoroccoNigeriaThe Gambia
Silkworms feed on mulberry leaves and spin cocoons from which raw natural silk is drawn for fine clothing. The moths also lay eggs that give new generations, so rearing a suitable number can bring a product that sells at a good price.
The project needs only a small clean room of about 9 m² near mulberry trees, simple wooden racks and trays, and a box of eggs. A full cycle takes about 35 days.
The original study says many young people started it with very little money and that natural silk production in the Arab region is below consumption. These are general claims without specific sources, so check real demand in your area before starting.
The study says selling is easy once you contact a few traders, but buyers are few in many countries, so secure a buyer before starting (estimate).
According to the original study, one box of about 18,000 eggs gives 8–12 tins (10 on average) of fresh cocoons, each tin holding 12 litres. That is roughly 25–35 kg of fresh cocoons per box (estimate).
Up to 3 boxes can be reared in the same room if there are enough mulberry leaves. A cycle lasts 35 days, or about 15 days when buying mid-age worms. The study mentions 6 cycles a year, but fresh leaves are usually available only in spring, summer and autumn, so 2–4 cycles a year is more realistic (estimate).
A home-based project usually needs no special licence, but regular selling may require agricultural or trade registration. Check with your local agricultural authority and municipality, and buy eggs from an approved, disease-free source.
| Equipment | Quantity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wooden multi-tier rearing racks | 2–3 | Like a bed frame; ≈ $120 (estimate) |
| Mesh or sacking rearing trays | 10–15 | ≈ $80 (estimate) |
| Mounting frames for cocooning | About 10 | Plastic or straw; ≈ $60 (estimate) |
| Hand sprayer for disinfection | 1 | ≈ $25 (estimate) |
| Thermo-hygrometer | 1 | ≈ $15 (estimate) |
| Leaf knife and board, baskets and damp cloths | 1 set | ≈ $40 (estimate) |
| Window mesh | As needed | ≈ $30 (estimate) |
| Small heater (optional) | 1 | ≈ $50 (estimate) |
Wooden multi-tier rearing racks
Quantity: 2–3
Like a bed frame; ≈ $120 (estimate)
Mesh or sacking rearing trays
Quantity: 10–15
≈ $80 (estimate)
Mounting frames for cocooning
Quantity: About 10
Plastic or straw; ≈ $60 (estimate)
Hand sprayer for disinfection
Quantity: 1
≈ $25 (estimate)
Thermo-hygrometer
Quantity: 1
≈ $15 (estimate)
Leaf knife and board, baskets and damp cloths
Quantity: 1 set
≈ $40 (estimate)
Window mesh
Quantity: As needed
≈ $30 (estimate)
Small heater (optional)
Quantity: 1
≈ $50 (estimate)
Source: Agricultural research centres or approved egg producers
Cost: $10–30 a box (estimate)
Must be healthy and disease-free
Source: Village mulberry trees, canal and river banks, or own trees
Cost: Often free or a token cost (estimate)
About 550 kg per box, from 10 ten-year-old trees
Source: Agricultural supply shops
Cost: ≈ $10 per cycle (estimate)
Handle with care
İktifa buys the equipment in the owner's name and presence, up to about $2,000. No cash changes hands.
The project starts working before any repayment, with mentoring through the first year.
Instalments follow a schedule agreed with the owner, based on the feasibility study.
Repayments, and 15% of profits to the local fund, equip the next skilled person.
Exact amounts and schedules are agreed for each project after the feasibility study.
Disinfect the room and tools, lime-wash the walls and fit mesh on the windows.
Buy eggs from an approved source and hatch them at suitable heat and humidity, or buy mid-age worms to shorten the cycle.
Transfer the young larvae to the rearing trays.
Feed fresh mulberry leaves several times a day, chopped small for young worms.
Change the bedding and clean the trays regularly, and remove sick worms.
Move mature worms to the mounting frames so they spin their cocoons.
Collect the finished cocoons, sort the sound ones, dry or sell them fresh, and store them properly if the sale is delayed.
Applicable countries
Old silk-rearing tradition in some areas and mulberry trees are common; buyers must be confirmed.
Silk rearing has a history in some regions but the market is limited; agree with a buyer first.
Suitable climate and mulberry grows well; sales channels must be confirmed.
Needs checking of mulberry, eggs and buyers before starting.
Needs checking of mulberry, eggs and buyers before starting.
Needs checking of mulberry, eggs and buyers before starting.
Needs checking of mulberry, eggs and buyers before starting.
Use this project model as the basis of your in-kind support application. Adapt it to your local market and capacity.
Silkworms feed on mulberry leaves and spin cocoons from which raw natural silk is drawn for fine clothing. The moths also lay eggs that give new generations, so rearing a suitable number can bring a product that sells at a good price.
The project needs only a small clean room of about 9 m² near mulberry trees, simple wooden racks and trays, and a box of eggs. A full cycle takes about 35 days.
The original study says many young people started it with very little money and that natural silk production in the Arab region is below consumption. These are general claims without specific sources, so check real demand in your area before starting.
The study says selling is easy once you contact a few traders, but buyers are few in many countries, so secure a buyer before starting (estimate).
According to the original study, one box of about 18,000 eggs gives 8–12 tins (10 on average) of fresh cocoons, each tin holding 12 litres. That is roughly 25–35 kg of fresh cocoons per box (estimate).
Up to 3 boxes can be reared in the same room if there are enough mulberry leaves. A cycle lasts 35 days, or about 15 days when buying mid-age worms. The study mentions 6 cycles a year, but fresh leaves are usually available only in spring, summer and autumn, so 2–4 cycles a year is more realistic (estimate).
A home-based project usually needs no special licence, but regular selling may require agricultural or trade registration. Check with your local agricultural authority and municipality, and buy eggs from an approved, disease-free source.
| Equipment | Quantity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wooden multi-tier rearing racks | 2–3 | Like a bed frame; ≈ $120 (estimate) |
| Mesh or sacking rearing trays | 10–15 | ≈ $80 (estimate) |
| Mounting frames for cocooning | About 10 | Plastic or straw; ≈ $60 (estimate) |
| Hand sprayer for disinfection | 1 | ≈ $25 (estimate) |
| Thermo-hygrometer | 1 | ≈ $15 (estimate) |
| Leaf knife and board, baskets and damp cloths | 1 set | ≈ $40 (estimate) |
| Window mesh | As needed | ≈ $30 (estimate) |
| Small heater (optional) | 1 | ≈ $50 (estimate) |
Wooden multi-tier rearing racks
Quantity: 2–3
Like a bed frame; ≈ $120 (estimate)
Mesh or sacking rearing trays
Quantity: 10–15
≈ $80 (estimate)
Mounting frames for cocooning
Quantity: About 10
Plastic or straw; ≈ $60 (estimate)
Hand sprayer for disinfection
Quantity: 1
≈ $25 (estimate)
Thermo-hygrometer
Quantity: 1
≈ $15 (estimate)
Leaf knife and board, baskets and damp cloths
Quantity: 1 set
≈ $40 (estimate)
Window mesh
Quantity: As needed
≈ $30 (estimate)
Small heater (optional)
Quantity: 1
≈ $50 (estimate)
Source: Agricultural research centres or approved egg producers
Cost: $10–30 a box (estimate)
Must be healthy and disease-free
Source: Village mulberry trees, canal and river banks, or own trees
Cost: Often free or a token cost (estimate)
About 550 kg per box, from 10 ten-year-old trees
Source: Agricultural supply shops
Cost: ≈ $10 per cycle (estimate)
Handle with care
İktifa buys the equipment in the owner's name and presence, up to about $2,000. No cash changes hands.
The project starts working before any repayment, with mentoring through the first year.
Instalments follow a schedule agreed with the owner, based on the feasibility study.
Repayments, and 15% of profits to the local fund, equip the next skilled person.
Exact amounts and schedules are agreed for each project after the feasibility study.
Disinfect the room and tools, lime-wash the walls and fit mesh on the windows.
Buy eggs from an approved source and hatch them at suitable heat and humidity, or buy mid-age worms to shorten the cycle.
Transfer the young larvae to the rearing trays.
Feed fresh mulberry leaves several times a day, chopped small for young worms.
Change the bedding and clean the trays regularly, and remove sick worms.
Move mature worms to the mounting frames so they spin their cocoons.
Collect the finished cocoons, sort the sound ones, dry or sell them fresh, and store them properly if the sale is delayed.
Applicable countries
Old silk-rearing tradition in some areas and mulberry trees are common; buyers must be confirmed.
Silk rearing has a history in some regions but the market is limited; agree with a buyer first.
Suitable climate and mulberry grows well; sales channels must be confirmed.
Needs checking of mulberry, eggs and buyers before starting.
Needs checking of mulberry, eggs and buyers before starting.
Needs checking of mulberry, eggs and buyers before starting.
Needs checking of mulberry, eggs and buyers before starting.
Use this project model as the basis of your in-kind support application. Adapt it to your local market and capacity.
Syria
Türkiye
Indonesia
Yemen
Morocco
Nigeria
The Gambia