Jorhat, July 24: Sericulture farmers in Sivasagar district can get updated on the latest technologies in use at a three-day training programme, starting tomorrow.

The programme, being organised by the North East Institute of Science and Technology (NEIST), Jorhat, in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT), Hyderabad, will also provide the knowhow on extraction of nutritious edible oil from desilked pupae of silkworms.

B.G. Unni, a NEIST scientist who is in charge of the programme, said while the training would be totally on eco-friendly products, a group of farmers could together avail the technology discovered by IICT Hyderabad in edible oil extraction to supplement their income.

“Silkworm pupae are known for their nutritional value because of the presence of high protein and high fat. These pupae are also consumed as a delicacy among a few communities and widely consumed by the Chinese,” Unni said.

The oil extracted from silkworm pupae has a high level of good lipids. “This oil was found to have nearly 75 per cent alpha linolenic acid and palmitic acid, both of which are considered to be highly nutritious. Its components can be used for many therapeutic applications. As our body does not produce some essential fatty acids, this oil can also supplement these requirements,” Unni said.

Scientists Sanjit Kanjilal, R.B.N. Prasad, U.S.N. Murty and Sunil Misra of the lipid science and technology division, IICT, Hyderabad, who are working on the extraction technology, are undertaking a toxicological study of the oil to ensure that it is cent per cent safe for consumption.

Silkworm pupae are generally meant to preserve the species for the next generation. Other than its importance in the breeding cycle, the pupae is of immense value to the sericulture industry as silk thread are obtained from the cocoons they spin. The desilked pupae, considered to be a byproduct of the sericulture industry, are mostly used as fertilisers and a constituent of chick and fish feed.

Regarding the use of pupae for oil extraction, Unni said, “Of the four silk seasons, the pupae of two seasons could be used for oil extraction while the pupae of the other two seasons would be required for laying eggs and further propagation. This will be implemented so that the silk industry is not affected.”

The resource persons who will impart training on seed production, rearing technologies, disease and pest management, eco-friendly technologies and self-employment through sericulture for rural development, are scientists from NEIST, IICT, Central Muga Eri Research and Training Institute, Lahdoigarh, Jorhat, and officials of SBI and National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard).

Besides field visits to sericulture farms, demonstration of techniques will be undertaken.

Unni said one kg of xilikha-based muga heal powder, which enhances silk production and contains the deadly flacherie disease that kills silkworms en masse, would be distributed among sericulture farmers.