Abstract:

This study deals with sericulture activities in Turkey in 27 years from the first years of the Republic to 1950 and their contributions to the economy. The subject is limited to and discussed under the titles of sericulture activities (1923-1950); the foundation and tasks of Bursa Sericulture Institute; the foundation and authorities of sericulture stations; and the foundation and activities of Cocoon Agricultural Sales Cooperatives Union (KTSKB). Evaluations have been made based on numeric data in discussing the sericulture activities in Turkey and their contributions to the economy. The gap in the literature about the research subject has been filled through use of primary sources such as Republic archive documents, official publications, laws, journals of official reports, proceedings of memorandum, official gazettes, statistical annuals, Ayın Tarihi journal (government’s dating publication), articles from the economics magazines of the period, and books. The relevant evaluations have been made considering the developments in the field of sericulture in Turkey and in the world in the period under examination. It has been found out that production increased and cocoon and silk products were exported to other countries as a result of the encouragement of sericulture by CHP governments as of the first years of the Republic. Then, with the establishment of Bursa Sericulture Institute and sericulture stations, all kinds of new technical developments and practices in the field of sericulture were followed. The foundation of KTSKB made producers organized and enabled them to sell their products at due prices, thereby raising production and making significant contributions to the country’s economy.

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