Turkmenistan President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow signed a resolution ordering the acceleration of development of the silkworm industry, official state news agency Turkmenistan Today said.

It said the resolution was aimed at increasing the volume and improving the quality of silkworm cocoons. It directed the Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection to ensure the production of 2,100 tons of silkworm cocoons in 2021.

The ministry was directed to coordinate of with regional heads to carry out the order. It went on to say that  state assistance should be aimed at providing “peasant associations”, agricultural enterprises, farms, tenants and landowners with the necessary volumes of high-quality silkworm grains.

The country is a major producer of hand-made silk rugs and other goods make from silk, and also exports the material.