The First Session of the Second Council of the Silkworm Seed Branch of the Chinese Sericultural Society Was Held in Chongqing

Spring has returned to the land, and all things are reviving! On the morning of March 17, 2023, the First Session of the Second Council of the Silkworm Seed Branch of the Chinese Sericultural Society was successfully held in Chongqing. Dai Fangyin, President of the Chinese Sericultural Society, attended the meeting, joined by Honorary President Feng Huaishong, President Zhang Baohua, Vice Presidents Wu Gang, Huang Hongyan, Lian Haigang, Huang Gang, Yang Biwen, Zhang Li, Xu Liang, and Chen Haipeng, as well as Secretary-General Guo Zhaoyi and Deputy Secretary-General Ding Shaoguan. Also in attendance were Yu Chaohong, Director of the Chongqing Academy of Sericultural Science and Technology; Fang Dewen, Deputy General Manager of Shandong Guangtong Silkworm Seed Group; and Wang Qingguo, Deputy General Manager of Ankang Silkworm Seed Farm Co., Ltd. of Shaanxi Province, who were invited to the meeting.

In his address, Honorary President Feng Huaishong expressed high hopes and offered valuable suggestions for the work of the Silkworm Seed Branch, and sincerely wished that the new term of the branch would continue to achieve even greater success in all its endeavors.

Chairman Dai Fangyin extended warm congratulations to the newly elected members of the Sub-Association’s Board of Directors. In his address, he expressed earnest hopes that the new term of the Silkworm Seed Sub-Association would excel in “three key areas of the seed industry”: first, a safe seed industry—requiring stringent standards and rigorous quarantine procedures for silkworm seeds; second, a high-quality seed industry—calling for intensified efforts to enhance silkworm seed quality across all stages, from breeding and selection to propagation and marketing; and third, an international seed industry—seeking greater access to overseas markets so that commercial silkworm seeds can be exported, thereby adding luster and prestige to the Belt and Road Initiative. He also encouraged the new Board to embrace the principle that “only when there is a crisis do we act; only through action do we earn our place,” urging them to take the lead in ensuring that the silkworm seed industry makes a meaningful contribution to the high-quality development of China’s cocoon and silk sector.

A new year brings a fresh outlook and a new journey! In his address, President Zhang Baohua fully articulated the new term of the Silkworm Seed Branch’s resolve and strategic direction: guided by the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the branch will carry forward the previous term’s ethos of rising to challenges, pursuing truth and pragmatism, and forging ahead with boldness and initiative. Under the leadership of the Chinese Society of Sericulture, the branch will remain down-to-earth and steadfast in its progress, closely adhering to the founding mission of the Silkworm Seed Branch, faithfully fulfilling its duties in accordance with the statutes, and placing service at the core of its work. It will continue to leverage its role as a “bridge and link,” consistently adopting a problem-oriented approach to effectively organize and implement a wide range of platform-based activities. By strengthening academic exchanges, technical training, and expert guidance, the branch will vigorously elevate the level of silkworm seed production and management in China, ensuring a steady and adequate supply of high-quality silkworm seeds to support the sustained and stable development of sericulture nationwide—and extending its reach beyond China to contribute to the Belt and Road Initiative. The branch is committed to fostering comprehensive collaboration across the silkworm seed industry, advocating the establishment of a silkworm seed market system that is characterized by stable quality, standardized operations, and mutually beneficial, win-win outcomes. Together, we will safeguard the rightful status of silkworm seeds as the very foundation of the sericulture industry and protect the legitimate rights and interests of silkworm seed producers and operators.

In light of the Sericulture Seed Committee’s 2023–2026 Work Plan and its 2023 Annual Work Plan, participants engaged in vigorous discussions. In particular, they put forward numerous valuable suggestions on such areas as the prevention and control of microsporidiosis, the widespread adoption of mechanization and intelligent technologies in sericulture seed production, industry–university–research collaboration in artificial-feed rearing, and the digital statistical compilation of sericulture seed production and operations across provinces. As a result, a consensus was reached, clearly defining the content and direction for the next phase of work.

Following the conclusion of the meeting, all participants visited the State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology at Southwest University. Academician Xiang Zhonghuai of the Chinese Academy of Engineering graciously received the visiting delegation despite his busy schedule and engaged in patient and thorough discussions with them on the transformation and high-quality development of the sericulture industry. Academician Xiang urged everyone to remain united and diligent, expressing his firm belief that, with collective effort, the banner of high-quality development for China’s sericulture industry will fly even higher.