In an insightful interview, Kuijianwei, a young innovator from Guangxi, shared his journey of returning to his hometown to revitalize the silk industry. “Last year, we provided nearly 40,000 silkworm seedlings to local farmers, and when they are willing to raise them well, it ensures the stability of the local industry,” he explained, highlighting his commitment to driving growth in the mulberry-silkworm sector.
Recently, we caught up with Kuijianwei at the Shuangxiu Family Farm in Chongmai Township, Liucheng County, where his energy was palpable as he efficiently carried several blue plastic bins filled with young silkworms, preparing to deliver them to a local farmer.
Chongmai Township is one of the key areas in Liucheng County for silkworm breeding, with over 85% of households involved in the silk industry. Kuijianwei’s family is no exception; he learned to collect mulberry leaves, feed the silkworms, and gather them from a young age.
After graduating from university in 2016, Kuijianwei spent two years exploring opportunities outside his hometown but ultimately decided to return and launch his own venture. Initially, his parents gave him the freedom to manage the family business. However, he soon realized that silk farming had many intricacies he hadn’t grasped as a child. “I quickly found out that what I knew was merely the surface,” he admitted.
“From pest management to understanding which treatments can be applied directly to silkworms, there was so much I had to learn. Overcoming those technical challenges, along with grasping the market dynamics and sales strategies, especially in dealing with the farmers, was no easy feat,” Kuijianwei reflected on the complexities of his undertaking.
Determined to face the challenges head-on, he set to work on his vision for “dream farming” in the mulberry fields. With the support of his parents, he managed two standardized co-breeding nurseries spanning 1,500 square meters, where he modernized the processes of hatching and raising silkworms. Once the silkworms reached a certain developmental stage, he distributed them to local farmers for further cultivation.
“Ensuring the highest quality in our co-framing operations is crucial. This model not only boosts the survival rate and quality of the silkworms but also significantly minimizes the risks and costs for farmers, ultimately leading to greater benefits for them,” Kuijianwei explained.
He noted that it takes about ten days for the silkworms to grow from one age to three. The silkworms from Shuangxiu Family Farm are well-developed and have low disease rates, allowing farmers to only need an additional 15-20 days of feeding before they can harvest cocoons for sale.
To stabilize the industry and safeguard farmer profits, Kuijianwei has prioritized market access, sales, and service alongside quality control. His farm is closely aligned with local silkworm farmers, providing peace of mind: if they encounter issues with their farming plans, environments, or labor, they can return or exchange the silkworms. Additionally, he offers on-site technical support, ensuring that both novices and experienced farmers receive timely guidance whenever needed.
This innovative approach has had a significant positive impact on local farmers. Taoyanli, a farmer from Long Village in Chongmai Township who has been raising silkworms for over four years, shared her experience: “I always turn to Kuijianwei for three-year-old silkworms. No matter what challenges arise during the process, he is always ready to help.”
With the growth of her twenty acres of mulberry trees and silk farming, Taoyanli has seen a considerable annual income.
For years, Shuangxiu Farm has produced twelve batches of young silkworms annually, providing nearly 40,000 seedlings to over 800 farmers. These silkworms are not only supplied locally but also exported to surrounding areas, generating close to five million yuan in value. The efficiency of the silk industry shows great potential for enhancing farmers’ incomes and contributing to local economic development.
