Yizhou's sericulture industry undergoes systematic upgrade

Yizhou district, Hechi city, Guangxi, has upgraded its traditional sericulture industry by integrating its industrial chain, standardizing production and focusing on collaborative empowerment.

This shift from supplying raw materials to full-chain value growth has given rural revitalization a shot in the arm. By 2025, its mulberry fields reached 396,000 mu (26,400 hectares), benefiting 85,000 farming households with a total industrial output value of 11 billion yuan ($1.57 billion).

The district has built a complete processing chain from silk reeling to garment manufacturing, with 21 above-scale cocoon and silk enterprises generating 4.68 billion yuan in output value, up 20 percent year-on-year.

Three circular economy chains have been formed, creating 1.07 billion yuan in resource utilization value. E-commerce accounts for 30 percent of sales, with products exported to Southeast Asia and Europe.

Digital management has cut the rate of silkworm disease below 5 percent and resulted in their cocoons now staying fresh for up to 15 days.

Meanwhile, rigorously enforced industrial standards have raised cocoon quality compliance to 92 percent. With the national geographical indication "Yizhou Silkworm Cocoon", local raw silk holds 15 percent of the European Union market, with high-quality products enjoying a more than 10-percent premium.

A corporate-led cooperative model has also seen farmers’ income stabilize. Backed by 40.25 million yuan in fiscal subsidies and nearly nine billion yuan in loans, the industry has fostered innovative enterprises and advanced research cooperation, boosting sustainable development.