Many Taiwan farmers are finding in sericulture--the raising of silkworms, --a profitable side-line to their other production. It offers the advantages of a short feeding period and relatively low costs. In addition to providing the filaments from which silk is made, a by-product, the excrement of the silkworms, is a valuable fertilizer.
養蠶是一種最好的農村副業，飼養期間短，可利用農閒剩餘勞力從事飼育，老少咸宜；並且費用少，利潤高，飼育所產生的副產物，如蠶沙、蠶糞等是最好的有機肥料，可以作為養牛羊的家畜飼料，廄肥又可以作為桑園肥料。