Ukraine

Brief summary about sericulture in Ukraine : Sericulture of Ukraine dates back to the eleventh century when a large mulberry garden was planted near the Clovskiy Monastery, Kiev , and a filature was built and manufacturing natural silk fabrics started. Commercial cultivation of the silkworm started in Ukraine in 1929-30. By that time, it was amateurs only who engaged in sericulture . Cocoons were used to manufacture hand-made silk goods. After the World War II, sericulture in Ukraine developed much quicker. For instance , in 1945, about 350 t of cocoons were produced while in 1955 the silk industry grossed about 1481 t. At its initial stage, sericulture developed mostly on the basis of imported eggs . Later, four egg production factories operated in Ukraine . Over 2000 collective and state farms produced about 1000 t of fresh cocoons a year. Silk was used to produce parachutes , surgical suture s, in cybernetics, and natural fabric manufacture . Powerful feed resources consisted of more than 40000 hectares of mulberry plantations , standard production premises for raising the silkworm at egg factories, sericulture farms, and cocoon driers. A fresh cocoon output at a specialized farm reached 2.5 t to 5.0 t. At that time , the government granted a subsidy for the sericulture industry in an amount of 60% to 62% of all expenses incurred by manufacturers and processing industry. Sericulture was , therefore , profitable . This made it possible to produce over 1,000 t of high quality fresh cocoons and about 600 kg to 700 kg of hybrid eggs for the needs of the light industry and other industries of the economy . The present analysis shows that, during the last years, in connection with changed economic situation, setback in production occurred accompanied by reduction in mulberry plantation areas, decrease in silkworm cocoon and egg production. In spite of the present, the sericulture industry infrastructure , the genetic resources of the silkworm and mulberry , and necessary premises and personnel have been preserved in the country ; there are available cheap labor , scientific and practical support of the industry at the present day level meeting the world standards , and the team of highly skilled professionals. There are, thus, all the prerequisites for the revival and further development of the sericulture industry in Ukraine .

Local sericulture institutions: