Silk For The Islands?
p. 145 · Read in the full issue
At least two territories—New Guinea and the GElC—are looking into the chances of starting silk industries. Another territory—Micronesia —is currently taking a close look at results of experiments underway in these two territories.
NG’s Department of Trade and Industry is carrying out the most ambitious experiments on silkworms. Over 2,000 Eri worms from Assam, India, are being studied at the Highlands Agricultural Station, Aiyura.
Ed worms were chosen and imported because of their reputed hardiness and ability to feed on castor trees, an annual plant which grows well in both NG and the GEIC.
The big test is to see if silkworms hatched from the eggs of the Eri worms can adapt themselves to the Highlands’ climate. If they can, the department plans to encourage growing of silk as a cottage industry.
Eggs would be made available to selected silkworm project centres, such as missions and schools in the Highlands and the depressed Sepik district.
If successful, then breeding centres would be set up with official government assistance and New Guineans would be urged to produce silk as well as coffee, pyrethrum, cocoa and tea.
The GEIC’s look into a silkworm industry, on a smaller scale, is headed by Mr. Ray Harberd, the colony’s bearded senior agricultural officer. As the GEIC produces virtually nothing but copra from its atolls, pressure is on to start anything new, and silk could do the trick.
Current prices for natural silk are stable and high.