Boko, Aug 6: A four-day residential training program for Muga and Eri seed rearers under the beneficiary empowerment initiative of the Silk Samagra – 2 (SS-2) scheme began Wednesday at Mendipathar, along the Assam-Meghalaya border in North Garo Hills district of Meghalaya.
The program was inaugurated by Yosima W. Momin, ADC of North Garo Hills, Dr. Arup Krishna Thakur, Joint Director (NZ), Department of Sericulture, West Bengal, Dr. N. K. Bhatia, Director of MESSO, CSB Guwahati, and Mahasankar Mazumdar, Scientist-C, MESSO, Mendipathar. The inaugural event featured the traditional Garo dance Wangala, performed by Medhipara College students who had recently completed 19 days of training on Muga and Eri production.
Dr. Bhatia informed that 35 farmers from Kalimpong, Darjeeling, Alipurduar, Jalpaiguri, and Cooch Behar districts of West Bengal have joined the program to learn advanced techniques in Muga and Eri silk production. “Assam’s Muga silk has been renowned for centuries, followed by Meghalaya’s Eri silk. Today, both Muga and Eri have also spread to West Bengal, thanks to the support of the state’s Directorate of Textiles (Sericulture) under the Department of Agriculture,” he said.
Highlighting the socio-economic impact, Bhatia noted that more than 4,000 tribal women from Alipurduar are engaged in eri production. “They rear eri silk moths, producing eggs that grow into larvae, pupae, and finally cocoons. From these cocoons, yarn is extracted, which is then woven into fabrics and garments. This cottage-based enterprise has empowered women, allowing them to earn profits with independence,” he explained.
He also recalled that Muga silk received its Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2007, marking a milestone in safeguarding and promoting this unique golden silk from Assam.
The training was jointly organized by the Central Silk Board (CSB), the Directorate of Textiles (Sericulture), West Bengal, and the Mendipathar P-4 unit.
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