A major programme
of beekeeping and sericulture has been launched by
the International Centre of
Insect Physiology and
Ecology (ICIPE) in Kenya.
The project, it hopes, will
alleviate rural poverty
through small-scale incomegenerating enterprises. They
will market honey, silk and
wax to cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. For
the first time in 20 years,
Kenya has been able "to
adapt" exotic silkworms to
African conditions, says
Hans Herren, director general Of ICIPE.
The situation changed
since ICIPE's scientists began
research to find a match for
the mulberry trees silkworms
feed on and to combat the
viral and bacterial diseases
attacking the worm larvae.
Funding Problems were
resolved with ICIPE receiving
us $1.3 million aid from the
UN International Fund for
Agricultural Development.
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