Boko, Dec 15: Amidst growing challenges in Assam’s Muga Silk industry due to global warming and erratic weather patterns, the government-operated Muga Seed Farm in Khanapara in the outskirts of Guwahati has become a beacon of hope for the farmers. With its anticipated production of close to 20,000 Muga cocoons, the Khanapara farm is expected to rejuvenate the disrupted supply chain, bringing much-needed relief to struggling Muga farmers and revitalizing the industry as a whole.

According to Sujit Barman, a Demonstrator at the farm, 500 grams of Muga eggs have been successfully reared during the current Katiya season. He stated, “Based on the healthy growth and active development of these disease-free Muga cocoons, it is expected that the farm will produce approximately 20,000 Muga cocoons,” he said.

Muga Silk, often hailed as the “Queen of Threads”, holds immense cultural and economic significance in Assam. Renowned for its golden sheen and durability, Muga Silk is not only a symbol of Assamese heritage but also a product of global acclaim, much like the iconic one-horned rhinoceros. Exclusive to the Brahmaputra Valley and the adjoining hilly regions, Muga Silk has earned the prestigious Geographical Indication (GI) tag. Assam’s favourable climate and the traditional expertise of its farmers have long positioned the state as the epicentre of Muga production, contributing significantly to sustainable rural economic development.

However, the industry faces severe challenges from the impacts of global warming and climate change. Barman explained that rising temperatures and erratic weather patterns have increasingly disrupted muga cultivation, particularly during the Ahar (June-July), Bhada (August-September), and Ahin (September-October) seasons.

This year, unseasonal temperature spikes during the Kati (October-November) season have further compounded the crisis, adversely affecting the availability of cocoons essential for Katiya farming. Many farmers have struggled to procure the required Muga cocoons, leaving the supply chain in disarray and threatening the livelihoods of those dependent on this traditional craft.

The projected production at the Khanapara Muga Seed Farm comes as a much-needed relief in these testing times.

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