author(s)
Edison Omollo Oduor, Lucy Ciera, Vijay Adolkar and Odoch Pido

abstract
Ericulture (Eri silkworm farming) is an agro-based traditional activity that has played an important role in generating income and employment for people living in rural areas in some parts of the world. It is ideal for rural areas as it requires low capital, is labor intensive thus creates jobs and it is commercially attractive. This type of sericulture, has shown significant promise, after moriculture, which has been the leading source of world silk. In Kenya, several types of silk exist, although only Bombyx mori (B. mori) has been commercialized. Ericulture has recently aroused interest among some Kenyan silkworm farmers and is gradually gaining popularity due to its ease of rearing when compared to B. mori silkworm. This paper therefore focuses on the state of Ericulture by looking into the regions practicing this form of sericulture and the rearing practices in Kenya. This aims boosting Kenyan sericulture industry and creating awareness of Ericulture as a supplement of moriculture which is the dominant silk farming in Kenya. It also aims to arouse interest in Ericulture research that will aid in improving Eri silk rearing in the country.