TASHKENT ( WNAM MONITORING): In Uzbekistan, sericulture and the procurement of silkworm cocoons play an important role in providing the population with income-generating employment, increasing rural employment, and expanding export potential. Nevertheless, problems accumulated at all stages – from the feed base to cocoon processing – hinder the full realization of the sector’s potential.
In particular, a significant portion of silkworm eggs is imported. It was noted that, by 2030, the share of locally produced eggs could be increased to 75 percent, which would require restoring operations at breeding stations specializing in silkworm egg production.
During the presentation, plans were reported to establish breeding silkworm egg stations in Fergana and Khorezm regions to produce elite varieties of silkworm eggs, as well as to create two new silkworm egg production enterprises this year in Bukhara and Namangan in addition to the 10 existing ones, and four more new enterprises in Tashkent, Jizzakh, Samarkand, and Surkhandarya regions in 2027-2029.
To support breeding and silkworm egg production enterprises, it was proposed to introduce a practice of covering half of their expenses to attract qualified foreign specialists, to pay seasonal workers, and to treat their activities as not subject to personal income and social taxes.
It was noted that improving the feed base is essential to enhancing the quality of cocoons.
In 2026-2030, a phased expansion of the feed base is planned. In particular, new mulberry plantations will be established on 8,000 hectares, single-row mulberry plantings will be organized on 41,500 hectares, and mulberry plantations will be restored on 15,000 hectares. As a result, it is expected that by 2030, 200 million mulberry saplings will be planted, and the feed base will increase by 30 percent.
Silkworm cultivation volumes will be forecast based on an analysis of the feed base. In particular, it is planned to produce 30,000 tonnes of cocoons in 2026 and 36,000 tonnes by 2030.
Work in the sector will be organized under a new system. The Uzbekipaksanoat Association, regional and district structures of Agropilla, as well as sericulture clusters, will operate in coordination, organizing the activities of farmers, home-based workers, and cocoon producers and providing them with support at all stages – from establishing new mulberry plantations to purchasing the grown cocoons.
Particular attention will be given to attracting and supporting low-income families and those included in the social register in sericulture. Starting this year, through the “mahalla of seven”, the population will receive a subsidy of 35 percent of the cost of 1 kilogram of procured cocoons, as well as loans of up to 20 million UZS for the purchase of equipment and tools for silkworm cultivation.
Expanding cocoon production through industrial methods has been identified as an important task. At present, silkworm cocoons are mainly procured in household conditions. However, there is an opportunity to ensure production stability and quality by establishing specialized sericulture farms. It was proposed to encourage the construction and operation of such farms in clusters by exempting them from land and property taxes until 1 January 2029.
Special attention was also given to increasing exports and the sector’s added value.
It was noted that the share of high-quality raw silk produced from locally sourced cocoons and their subsequent processing remains low. It was indicated that by improving quality and expanding deep processing, export revenues can be increased to $250 million. In particular, the implementation of 21 investment projects totaling $200 million by 2030 will increase the level of raw silk processing to 75 percent, bringing the volume to 3,000 tonnes. This will make it possible to produce 18.5 million linear meters of silk fabric.
Measures have been identified to increase the share of finished products in exports, enter new markets, and form and support national brands.
The need for the widespread introduction of digital technologies in the sector was noted. A decision was made to develop a unified information system covering the accounting of the feed base, an enterprise registry, electronic reporting and settlements, and real-time monitoring of silkworm egg volumes, cocoon harvests, and cocoon collection points.
Having approved the proposals for the development of sericulture, the President instructed the responsible officials to strengthen the feed base, expand domestic silkworm egg production, introduce industrial methods, and increase the share of finished products.
