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| "Efforts to Create a Local Sericulture Industry in North Sumatra" |
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In
North Sumatra Province on the western-most main island of Indonesia, OISCA
started a sericulture development project in 1999. In fiscal year 2002,
the Project entered a new phase of development. While big plantations of coconut palms, rubber plants, coffee trees, etc., are extensively operated at the foot of vast mountains that range across the center of the Island, the mountainous regions with many small farming households still lack decent local industries. The local government considers that an effective sustainable development plan for the mountainous regions will contribute to the development of the Island as a whole. |
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In the past, development efforts towards some local industries failed. In 1999, OISCA Indonesia Alumni Association and IRA (a local enterprise) jointly launched the North Sumatra Sericulture Development Project at the request of the North Sumatra Chamber of Commerce and Industry. This Project is aimed at developing sericulture as a new local industry to help the people to earn cash incomes and increase their standard of living. Many small farmers living near the Project Center have taken an interest in the new initiative. |
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An increasing number of farmers are planting their own mulberry trees and joining in the Project, which extends to many localities in and around the Province. There are five main Project Offices, in addition to training facilities and a reeling factory. OISCA Sericulture Training Center, located Kabanjahe Sumatra Utara, serves as the hub for promoting Project activities. Over the past year, the Center concentrated on expanding its mulberry farms and preparing young instructors. This effort was intended to strengthen a base for the extension of sericulture throughout the Province. Now, the Training Center is taking another step forward through an extension of sericulture techniques and skills to farmers who may take part in the Project. |
| Mr. Ken Kobayashi, a young but efficient technician of sericulture deputed by OISCA Headquarters, leads the Center. He is working to show farmers that sericulture is suitable to natural conditions in North Sumatra, and can be a profitable and rewarding venture for them. The local staff members, many of whom are actually OISCA's former trainees, struggle to promote the Project - introducing and explaining about the merits and advantages of sericulture. They are convincing increasing number of farmers to join the Project and urge them to visit the Center and participate in the silkworm raising training course. Enthusiastic villagers want to visit the Center repeatedly to learn better techniques and skills. |  |
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The domestic market for silk products has not been saturated in Indonesia yet. The price of silk does not fluctuate so widely as other cash crops. However, silk producers will have to face stiffer competition in the years to come, as other production centers start providing silk products to domestic and international markets. Mr. Kobayashi and his staff members continue making efforts to ensure successful sericulture, not only for now but for the future, by communicating closely with local farmers and strengthening the production base through increasing skill levels, as well as developing an efficient marketing system. |
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January 2003: |
Rabaul Center Establishes a System
for Recycling Life and Livelihood |
| Copyright 2003 OISCA-International All rights reserved.@ webmaster@oisca.org |