Innovation boosts silkworm industry in Hechi

A woman works in a silkworm workshop. [Photo by Wei Pengyan/Xinhua]

The silkworm industry of Yizhou district in Hechi, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, has developed fast in recent years due to governmental support.

Yizhou has been focusing on introducing new technology and stimulating innovation for the silkworm industry. With 346,700 mu (23,113 hectares) of mulberry fields and 63,600 tons of fresh cocoons, revenue from local farmers' silkworm breeding reached 2.75 billion yuan ($412.18 million) last year.

The industry in Yizhou has occupied the top position among domestic counties and districts for the last 12 years.

In order to fully implement the "rural revitalization strategy", a national strategy to promote rural development, Yizhou district has set up an innovative "high-quality cocoon silk production base in China", and propelled industrial cluster development. At the same time, it has pushed forward creation of modern characteristic agricultural demonstration bases, with two added in 2017.

The district has helped open 200 online shops on China's e-commerce giants, like Taobao, Tmall and JD.com, to expand brand influence. Meanwhile, more and more workers have taken part in skills training to increase their abilities.