Textile Minister Calls for Enhancing Northeast’s Sericulture Sector

The minister also called for the development of Muga and Eri cluster-based villages and encouraged youth participation in Eri culture to revitalise the industry.

Union Minister Pabitra Margherita emphasised the importance of strengthening the sericulture sector in the northeastern region and engaging more local communities in silk farming. As the Minister of State for Textiles, he highlighted the significant role of the Central Muga Eri Research and Training Institute in Jorhat, Assam, in promoting Muga silk, which is a Geographical Indication-tagged product vital to the cultural identity of the northeastern state.

Speaking at the silver jubilee event of CMER&TI, Central Silk Board, in Lahdoigarh, Jorhat, Margherita underscored the need to enhance sericulture in the northeast to increase production and involve local communities. He advocated for the engagement of more field assistants to raise awareness and motivate residents regarding silk farming.

The minister also called for the development of Muga and Eri cluster-based villages and encouraged youth participation in Eri culture to revitalise the industry. He proposed the establishment of advanced laboratories and the introduction of crop insurance to protect stakeholders involved in silk production. Additionally, Margherita suggested exploring support from the National Livelihood Mission to boost mulberry production in Assam and ensure the protection of indigenous weavers.

During the event, a special documentary highlighting the institute’s 25-year journey and research achievements was released, along with a souvenir titled “25 Years of Excellence,” a commemorative postal stamp, and a book titled “Golden Threads: A Guide to Muga Post Cocoon Technology.” Furthermore, a commercial loose-egg production technology in Eri-culture was launched to empower seri-entrepreneurs and promote sustainable Eri silk production throughout India.

Currently, approximately 1,09,296 hectares of land in the northeastern region are dedicated to sericulture, involving 12,491 villages and 3,99,789 farmers. States such as Assam, Meghalaya, and Arunachal Pradesh are part of this initiative.