Shandong Guangtong Silkworm Seed Co., Ltd.

A Special Research Team from the Ministry of Commerce’s 2023 Special Fund Project on Cocoon and Silk Conducts a Field Visit to Guangtong Group

In accordance with the “Notice on Effectively Strengthening the Management and Use of the 2023 Special Funds for Cocoon and Silk and Promoting High-Quality Development of the Industry” issued by the National Cocoon and Silk Administration, and at the invitation of the National Cocoon and Silk Coordination Office, on the afternoon of September 4, a delegation of nine members—including Qian Youqing, Supervisor of the China Silk Association; Yang Aiping, Deputy Secretary-General of the China Silk Association; Gao Yajun, Special Vice President of the Shandong Silk Association; Zhang Chaowu, Vice President of the Jiangsu Silk Association; Xu Jin, Secretary-General of the Jiangsu Sericulture Society; Fan Tao, Chairman of the Anhui Sericulture Society; Zhang Ying, Executive Vice Chairman of the Anhui Sericulture Society; Wang Xiaoming, Financial Manager of Jiangsu Soho International Group Co., Ltd.; and Zhao Ying, Liaison Officer of the China Silk Association—visited Guangtong Group, accompanied by Jiang Hao, Deputy Director of the Shandong Provincial Department of Commerce, to conduct a special survey on the implementation of the Ministry of Commerce’s 2023 Special Fund Project for Cocoon and Silk. The group was joined by Fang Dewen, Chang Wenyong, Xu Shanting, Li Zhihai, and Li Haihui from the Group.

On-site at the symposium

Deputy Secretary-General Yang Aiping chaired the meeting.

Fang Dewen reports on the project status.

First, the inspection team visited the Guangtong Artificial Feed Silkworm Rearing Workshop to observe on-site operations such as the rearing of silkworms on artificial feed, their transfer to rearing racks for cocoon formation, and feed processing. Subsequently, the delegation convened a symposium in the second-floor conference room. Mr. Fang Dewen, representing the Group Company, delivered a detailed report on the Ministry of Commerce’s 2023 Special Fund Project for Cocoon and Silk—Research and Application of Artificial-Feed-Based Raw-Silkworm Rearing Technology. The report covered six key aspects: the background of project implementation, the status of project construction and completion, the utilization of project funds, the economic benefits achieved, lessons learned and areas for improvement, and plans for post-project development. Following the presentation, the inspection team conducted an on-site review of the project’s financial documentation. After a comprehensive evaluation by the panel of experts, the project received high praise, with unanimous agreement that its implementation has strengthened the feeding behavior of artificial-feed-reared silkworm strains, introduced disease-resistant genes into these strains to enhance their disease resistance and economic performance, and optimized feed formulations based on the varying adaptability of different strains and life stages to artificial feed, thereby developing all-stage artificial-feed rations tailored to specific raw-silkworm varieties and achieving the goal of full-stage artificial-feed rearing. In addition, the team developed and manufactured equipment such as feed dispensers, steam sterilizers, and frame-washing and disinfection machines, which have reduced labor requirements, simplified operations, and increased the level of mechanization in artificial-feed silkworm rearing. Furthermore, they compiled the “Operational Guidelines for Full-Stage Artificial-Feed Rearing of Raw Silkworms,” establishing replicable technical operating modules. The project demonstrates significant social benefits and considerable potential for wider application and promotion. The 2023 Cocoon and Silk Development Project of Shandong Guangtong Silkworm Seed Co., Ltd. has been fully completed in accordance with the approved scope of work; accounting practices are standardized and comprehensive, financial information is truthful and accurate, and all aspects comply with the project’s requirements.

Visit to the Artificial Feed Silkworm Rearing Workshop

Meanwhile, the expert panel recommends that the project implementing entity: intensify research and development and refinement of labor-saving and automated equipment for rearing silkworms on artificial diets; continuously improve the technical system for artificial rearing; further optimize and upgrade the feed formulation for raw silkworms; develop new, high-quality productive forces for artificial-diet silkworm rearing tailored to local conditions; and make all-out efforts to promote the transformation and upgrading of silkworm seed production, thereby injecting fresh vitality and momentum into the high-quality development of China’s cocoon and silk industry.

The expert panel conducted an on-site review of the materials.

Speech by Chairman Qian

In his concluding remarks, Jiang Hao, Deputy Director of the Provincial Department of Commerce, emphasized that current challenges such as population aging and severe environmental pollution are constraining the development of the traditional sericulture industry. He stated that the artificial-feed silkworm-rearing project is pivotal for the transformation and upgrading of the sector, underscoring the need to prioritize the development of the seed industry and provide full support for Guangtong Silkworm Seed in leveraging this new form of productive force—artificial-feed silkworm rearing—to bring about a fundamental shift in production methods and promote high-quality development of the silkworm-seed industry. Qian Yongqing, Supervisor of the China Silk Association, summarized by pointing out that silkworm seeds are the very foundation of the silk industry’s development; therefore, it is essential to attach great importance to the development of the seed industry, apply modern technologies to transform the traditional sericulture sector, harness new forms of productive forces to effectively steer the trend of transformation and development, drive the upgrading and expansion of the industrial chain, and continuously strengthen and grow the silk industry.

Speech by Director Jiang