Saricakaya Koza Agricultural Sales Cooperative, affiliated to Bursa Koza Agricultural Sales Cooperatives Union, exported 14 tons of dry cocoon to China and Iran in the first half of 2021.
Saricakaya Koza Agricultural Sales Cooperative Directorate, numbered 137, located in the Mayislar District of the Saricakaya district of Eskisehir, hatched the silkworms brought from KOZABIRLIK’s facilities in Bursa and delivered them to producers in many cities in May.
Cocoons knitted by silkworms at the end of a month began to be collected from producers. In this context, it is aimed to obtain approximately 15 tons of wet cocoon from 25 provinces.
Turkish cocoon, from which 1200 to 1600 meters of silk is taken from a single cocoon, attracts attention from the Turkish republics as well as China, Iran and India.
Kenan Gecengi, Deputy Director of Saricakaya Koza Agricultural Sales Cooperative, told Anadolu Agency (AA) that they have been purchasing cocoons since 20 June.
Stating that 13 tons of fresh cocoon have been delivered to the cooperative so far, Gecengi shared the following information:
“Last year, we collected 13.5 tons of wet cocoons. We aim to increase our production in 2021. We have completed the one-month production process. It has been a good year for our producers as well. After all the cocoons throughout Turkey arrive in Sarİcakaya, all processes such as sorting and drying are carried out in these warehouses. The stored cocoons are left to dry on the shelves. After packing and sacking, they are ready for sale. Now we have laid the cocoons we bought from our producers on the shelves, they are expected to dry. They will wait on the shelves until the end of September. The cocoons are constantly stirred to prevent mold. We will start packaging at the end of September.”
“Guarantee of purchase is guaranteed”
Gecengi stated that KOZABIRLIK continues to work on export.
Noting that Turkish cocoons and silk are of high quality, Gecengi said, “The quality of a cocoon is determined by its drawable fiber length and denier (yarn thickness). 1200 to 1600 meters of silk are obtained from our cocoons. Silk is a very healthy and durable fiber. Quality Turkish cocoons and silk find buyers in many countries such as China, Iran, India and Uzbekistan. In the first half of 2021, we exported 14 tons of dry cocoons to China and Iran.”
Kenan Gecengi explained that although it seems like an additional income to the producers since it is fed once a year, it brings good income after feeding in a short time like a month.
Mentioning that silkworm breeding is supported by the state as it is a historical, cultural and prestige product for Turkey, Gecengi stated that all these transactions are mediated by KOZABIRLIK cooperatives for producers.
Saying that KOZABIRLIK gives a product purchase guarantee to all manufacturers wherever they are, Gecengi said:
“Silkworm cocoon production is an agricultural branch in which the workforce of all family members, regardless of children, young, old, women or men, can be evaluated together in mountain and forest villages, far from agricultural spraying and industrial areas. Considering the economic and social dimensions of silkworm breeding, increasing the income level of the people in the region prevents migration from the village to the city, and especially our women living in rural areas are provided with income. In recent years, it is seen that there has been an increase in demand for ecological and natural products with the awareness of consumers in our country as well as in the world, and this increase will continue. With the development of organic agriculture in our country, silkworm breeding is encouraged as an alternative product in areas where organic production is carried out.”
Sevgul Unal, one of the workers in Saricakaya Koza Agricultural Sales Cooperative, stated that they were mixing the cocoons to dry them.
Expressing that this is a very enjoyable job, Unal said, “We turn the silkworm cocoons on the shelves upside down using the woods we have on the shelves. Thus, we ensure that the cocoons dry out in a healthy way.”
Source: AA / Translated by Irem Yildiz