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Mulberry Silkworm Farming in the Brahmaputra Valley

A practical, step-by-step guide for growers in the Brahmaputra Valley to establish mulberry plantations and rear Bombyx mori for silk. Focuses on site selection, soil management, leaf production and on-farm…

Ranjeet Natarajan
Ranjeet Natarajan August 9, 2026 6 min read 1,077 words
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Mulberry Silkworm Farming in the Brahmaputra Valley

Overview

This guide walks you through establishing mulberry for silkworm (Bombyx mori) production in the Brahmaputra Valley. It focuses on the local climate and practical routines for site selection, soil preparation, planting, leaf harvesting, storage and on-farm silkworm feeding and hygiene. The aim is to help you produce good-quality leaves consistently and integrate silkworm rearing on a small to medium farm.

Understand the system

Sericulture has two linked enterprises: mulberry leaf production (horticulture) and silkworm rearing (animal rearing). The success of silk depends more on steady, clean leaf supply and disciplined rearing practices than on exotic technologies. Plan the farm layout so mulberry blocks are near the rearing house to reduce leaf transit time and damage.

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Site selection and climate

The Brahmaputra Valley offers warm, humid conditions suitable for mulberry. Key site considerations:

  • Choose well-drained sites; avoid waterlogged pockets that cause root diseases.
  • Prefer gently sloping ground for drainage and easy mechanisation of field work.
  • Good sunlight exposure—mulberry tolerates partial shade but leaf yield is higher in full sun.
  • Proximity to clean water for irrigation, and easy access to markets or sericulture extension services.

Soil requirements and preparation

Mulberry grows on a range of soils but performs best on fertile, sandy loam to clay loam with good structure. Before planting:

  • Test the soil pH—ideal range is mildly acidic to neutral. Lime acidic soils as advised by a local soil test report.
  • Incorporate organic matter: farmyard manure or compost at planting to improve structure and water-holding capacity.
  • Deep plough or cultivate to remove weeds and loosen subsoil for root development.
  • Mark planting lines with recommended spacing suited to local variety and management (see varieties section).

Variety selection

Use mulberry varieties recommended by your local sericulture research station. Varietal choice should match:

  • Local climate (tolerance to seasonal waterlogging or drought).
  • Leaf quality—digestibility and moisture content preferred by Bombyx mori.
  • Growth habit—bush vs. tree-type and ease of pruning for leaf picking.

Ask extension services for planting material: disease-free saplings or cuttings from certified sources.

Planting and early care

Common planting methods are saplings in pits or rooted cuttings. Practical steps:

  • Dig pits or planting holes enriched with compost and, if needed, basal fertilizer per soil test.
  • Plant at the start of the rainy season for good establishment, or irrigate regularly during dry periods.
  • Maintain weed-free rows during first year—mulberry establishes slowly at first and young plants are sensitive to weed competition.
  • Protect young plants from cattle and rodent grazing with fencing or guards.

Pruning, training and spacing

Pruning affects leaf yield and ease of harvest. Basic principles:

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  • Use a bush training system for leaf-focused production—keep plants multi-stemmed and low (stool method) so leaves are within easy reach.
  • Prune regularly to maintain young leaf flushes; older wood produces tougher leaves less acceptable to silkworms.
  • Spacing depends on system—closer for high-density, frequent harvests; wider for tree form. Match spacing to your pruning and harvesting labour capacity.

Irrigation and nutrient management

Mulberry responds to regular water and balanced nutrition:

  • Apply irrigation during dry spells to maintain steady leaf growth; avoid prolonged soil saturation.
  • Follow a split fertilizer program—use organic manures combined with NPK based on soil tests. Nitrogen promotes leaf growth but excess leads to soft tissue and disease susceptibility.
  • Topdress when new shoots emerge after pruning and follow scheduled applications through the growing cycle.

Pest and disease management

Common problems include fungal leaf spots, powdery mildew, and insect pests. Manage with integrated measures:

  • Maintain good plant spacing and airflow; remove and burn seriously infected material.
  • Use disease-resistant varieties where available and avoid overhead irrigation if it encourages leaf wetness.
  • Monitor for sap-sucking insects and defoliators; use biological controls, targeted insecticides as per local recommendations, and neem-based treatments where appropriate.
  • Keep records of outbreaks and treatments—this helps make preventive changes in subsequent cycles.

Leaf harvest, handling and storage for silkworms

Leaf quality determines silkworm health. Harvest and handle leaf batches to keep them clean and fresh:

  • Harvest mid-morning after dew has dried; avoid harvesting in the heat of the day when leaves wilt rapidly.
  • Pick soft, young leaves and tender shoots; discard damaged, dusty, or insect-contaminated material.
  • Transport leaves quickly to the rearing house in clean containers to avoid bruising.
  • If storage is needed for short periods, keep leaves cool, in ventilated shade, and avoid piling too deep. Do not use leaves with pesticides or pathogens.

Silkworm rearing basics

The rearing house must be clean, dry, and well-ventilated with stable temperatures and controlled humidity. Basic rules:

  • Start with disease-free eggs and maintain strict hygiene—disinfect trays, change sheets, and remove uneaten leaves or feces frequently.
  • Feed fresh leaves at regular intervals—young larvae need frequent small feeds; older instars take larger quantities but less often.
  • Monitor larval health daily; watch for signs of disease and separate sick batches immediately.
  • Provide clean mounting frames for cocooning when larvae mature; avoid disturbances and sudden environmental changes during cocoon formation.

Harvesting and post-cocoon handling

Cocoon handling depends on whether you sell raw cocoons or process them. Keep records of cocoon counts, weights and quality. Avoid soaking or exposing fresh cocoons to moisture until processing. Coordinate harvest timing so leaf supply and rearing cycles are synchronized.

Record keeping and practical tips

  • Keep simple daily logs: leaf quantity harvested, rearing batch performance, mortality, and feed quality notes.
  • Plan leaf production based on rearing cycles—calculate leaf needs per batch to avoid shortages or wasteful overproduction.
  • Invest in training: sericulture extension officers can help with local disease outbreaks and improved rearing techniques.
  • Start small with a manageable number of rearing trays, learn routines, then scale up progressively as you gain confidence and market contacts.

Step-by-step seasonal schedule (practical)

  • Land prep and planting: start before the rainy season; ensure planting stock is disease-free.
  • Establishment year: weed control, regular watering, initial pruning to form stools.
  • Maintenance years: follow scheduled pruning cycles to produce frequent young leaf flushes timed to rearing batches.
  • Rearing cycles: align egg purchase and rearing start with expected leaf availability; keep at least one backup block of freshly pruned plants to supply leaves if a block gets infected or stressed.

Final notes

Successful mulberry-silkworm farming in the Brahmaputra Valley combines attention to clean, regular leaf supply and disciplined rearing hygiene. Work closely with local sericulture extension, use recommended varieties and certified planting material, and keep good records to improve your system over seasons. Practical, small improvements in harvesting timing, leaf handling and rearing cleanliness often produce the biggest gains.

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Ranjeet Natarajan
Ranjeet Natarajan

Contributing writer at Agriculture Novel — telling the stories that sustain us.

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