Cuban Scientist Experiments with Asian Silkworms
2024-06-02
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1A scientist in Cuba is raising silkworms native to Asia in hopes the creatures will produce local, high quality silk for clothing.
2Dayron Martin is a biochemist who lives in western Cuba. He carries out experiments at the Indio Hatuey Experimental Station.
3The research center was established in 1962 in an effort to improve agriculture production methods in the Caribbean nation.
4A reporter from Reuters news agency recently visited Martin's laboratory.
5As he looked over a table of many silkworms, he explained that he oversees the whole lab operation from start to finish.
6This includes raising the silkworms, also known as caterpillars, producing their food and harvesting their silk.
7As part of his work, Martin heads the ArteSeda project.
8He told Reuters the project has progressed well so far.
9The goal is for Martin to harvest high-quality white fibers that can be used by the local population to make clothing and possibly other products.
10Martin described his work as a Chinese "ancestral process" that has been practiced for more than 5,000 years.
11He said it was only recently brought to Cuba.
12Martin said he does not have to go far to get materials for the caterpillars' food - he mainly uses dark green mulberry leaves from plants growing outside his lab.
13"(The worms) need very specific conditions," he added.
14The project began with financial support from the European Union and the Cuban government.
15It more recently also received money from the French government.
16The effort aims to teach artisans the process so they can learn to raise worms on their own.
17Cuba was chosen because of its climate.
18The country has warm temperatures and a lot of wind.
19In addition, its growing season lasts the full year.
20Silkworms are the young form of a kind of moth native to Asia.
21The caterpillars produce a cocoon of silk fiber that has long been used to manufacture many kinds of products.
22The artisans can use silk to create products at home to sell to local people and visitors, said Dalgi Chaviano.
23She owns a small shop in Havana that produces beauty products, fabrics and other materials.
24Chaviano told Reuters she recently got approval from the local government to raise mulberry trees and silkworms in Havana.
25This will permit her to produce her own material for products.
26"Every day I discover something new to do with the silk," Chaviano said.
27I'm Bryan Lynn
1A scientist in Cuba is raising silkworms native to Asia in hopes the creatures will produce local, high quality silk for clothing. 2Dayron Martin is a biochemist who lives in western Cuba. He carries out experiments at the Indio Hatuey Experimental Station. The research center was established in 1962 in an effort to improve agriculture production methods in the Caribbean nation. 3A reporter from Reuters news agency recently visited Martin's laboratory. As he looked over a table of many silkworms, he explained that he oversees the whole lab operation from start to finish. This includes raising the silkworms, also known as caterpillars, producing their food and harvesting their silk. 4As part of his work, Martin heads the ArteSeda project. He told Reuters the project has progressed well so far. The goal is for Martin to harvest high-quality white fibers that can be used by the local population to make clothing and possibly other products. 5Martin described his work as a Chinese "ancestral process" that has been practiced for more than 5,000 years. He said it was only recently brought to Cuba. 6Martin said he does not have to go far to get materials for the caterpillars' food - he mainly uses dark green mulberry leaves from plants growing outside his lab. "(The worms) need very specific conditions," he added. 7The project began with financial support from the European Union and the Cuban government. It more recently also received money from the French government. The effort aims to teach artisans the process so they can learn to raise worms on their own. 8Cuba was chosen because of its climate. The country has warm temperatures and a lot of wind. In addition, its growing season lasts the full year. 9Silkworms are the young form of a kind of moth native to Asia. The caterpillars produce a cocoon of silk fiber that has long been used to manufacture many kinds of products. 10The artisans can use silk to create products at home to sell to local people and visitors, said Dalgi Chaviano. She owns a small shop in Havana that produces beauty products, fabrics and other materials. 11Chaviano told Reuters she recently got approval from the local government to raise mulberry trees and silkworms in Havana. This will permit her to produce her own material for products. 12"Every day I discover something new to do with the silk," Chaviano said. 13I'm Bryan Lynn 14Bryan Lynn adapted this story for VOA Learning English, based on reports from Reuters. 15____________________________________________ 16Words in This Story 17fiber - n. one of the thin threads that forms a substance such as cloth 18artisan - n. someone who does skilled work with their hands 19moth -n. a winged insect that, in its early development, is a wingless caterpillar 20cocoon - n. a cover that protects some insects as they develop into adults 21fabric - n. cloth material