Silk Development Pilot Project

closed

The Silk Development Project, the first phase of a long-term program to help increase the incomes of small-scale silk producers, mostly poor women, introduces improved technology and creates institutional and policy improvements to address the constraints that affect silk development in Bangladesh. The project is composed of four components. The policy reform and institutional development component comprises five sub-components: 1) further deregulating the silk industry; restructuring the Bangladesh Sericulture Board (BSB) and its Research and Training Institute (BSRTI); 2) establishing the Silk Foundation (SF); 3) promoting associations of producers of cocoons and raw silk; and 4) providing technical assistance to the Ministry of Textiles (MOT). The productivity enhancement and research component consists of investments aimed at improving sector performance and enhancing technology. This component comprises sub-components to develop research capacity to improve yields, productivity, and income; to establish, staff, and operate germplasm maintenance centers; to develop and lease grainages (hatcheries); and to support a pilot program to determine the country's potential competitive advantage for producing high quality bivoltine raw silk. The third component, technology dissemination, develops the training capacity of BSRTI; sets up field training centers for chawki rearers, silkworm rearers, and reelers; funds the salaries of extension staff and provides technical assistance; and disseminates information about chawki rearing technology (which improves the quality of eggs and the rearing process). The fourth component, product development and market promotion, funds experts and training to produce fashion designs for trade shows, and finances project monitoring and evaluation.