Tura, March 15: As part of North-Eastern Hill University’s (NEHU) initiative to strengthen the Muga silk industry, a ‘Skill Training cum Workshop on Muga Silk Production and Livelihood Improvement’ was held on Thursday (March 13, 2025), at the Central Silk Board Training Hall in Tura, West Garo Hills.
The Incubation Centre (LBI-MSME Incubator), NEHU Tura Campus, in collaboration with the Department of Sericulture, West Garo Hills, Meghalaya, Central Silk Board, Tura and ICAR-National Institute of Biotic Stress Management (ICAR-NIBSM), Raipur, Chhattisgarh, jointly conducted this workshop.
NEHU has launched an initiative to enhance the Muga silk industry in the state, where it plans to modernize sericulture, enhance farmer livelihoods, and expand market access. The effort focuses on scientific advancements, sustainable silk production, and direct market integration for local farmers.
The event on Thursday brought together experts, policymakers, and over 150 registered farmers to promote sustainable sericulture practices.
During the program, farmers received essential tools and training in silkworm rearing, disease management, and post-harvest processing. The training aimed to improve production efficiency and Muga silk quality, reducing reliance on middlemen and increasing local value addition. Farmers were provided with scientific input support materials, including rearing trays, secateurs, rearing nets, and torchlights, to enhance their rearing techniques.
Keynote speaker Dr. R. Sasikumar, Nodal Officer of NEHU’s Incubation Centre, outlined the broader vision of the initiative. He highlighted plans to increase annual Muga silk production from 10 metric tons to 30 metric tons, with a long-term goal of scaling up to 43 metric tons and generating Rs. 200–300 crore in revenue through value-added silk products. The initiative also aims to reduce dependence on Assam-based middlemen, ensuring that local farmers benefit directly from market opportunities.
To further support the sericulture industry, a Muga Farmers’ Training Centre is being established in Resubelpara, North Garo Hills, to provide ongoing capacity-building and technical assistance. Expanding sericulture plantations and host plant nurseries is also a priority to improve silk quality and sustainability.
The Silk Samagra Yojana, a government-backed scheme supporting infrastructure development and market expansion, is playing a crucial role in integrating Meghalaya’s silk industry into national and international supply chains. This initiative builds on five years of capacity-building programs, training sessions, and infrastructure support led by NEHU’s Incubation Centre in collaboration with ICAR-NIBSM, Raipur, under the North East Hill Program (NEH).
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between ICAR-NIBSM and NEHU (2024–2029) has further strengthened this collaboration, ensuring sustained knowledge transfer and technical advancements in Muga silk production.
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