Location:
Andhra Pradesh, South India

Background:
Since the late 90s, a boarding school with in the meantime over 100 students has been operating in Andra Pradesh, South India. Funds are lacking to properly equip the school and to meet the operating budget. The boarding school came up with the initiative to cover those expenses by raising silk worms. The school has access to the land where the mulberry trees can be planted. The mulberry-feeding moth is the principal source of silk.

• Cover the operating costs of the school through the sale of silk worms.

• Create employment opportunities in particular for the impoverished people in this agricultural region.

• Improve the methods of silk worm production in the region.

In preparation of the project, the soil is tilled and proper drainage installed. A water tank will need to be provided and a barn must be built where the silk worm can be raised and where the silk can be stored prior to the sale.

Local laborers will be used for the preparatory work as well as the daily operation. Poor families and women will have the opportunity to earn a respectable wage. The sale of silk worm is guaranteed by a neighboring factory. In order to optimize production and quality, the most appropriate types of mulberry trees and silk worm will be used. The first harvest is expected approximately nine months after the trees are planted. The project will start in October 2002.

•  PROFIT EXPECTATION