Assam's Muga Sericulture creating new livelihood opportunities: CM Himanta Biswa Sarma
Guwahati, June 8
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday highlighted the growing impact of the state's handloom and sericulture sector, stating that Muga silk cultivation is creating sustainable livelihood opportunities and transforming rural economies across Assam.
In a post on social media platform X, the Chief Minister said that Assam's handloom sector is "weaving new opportunities" for people, particularly those associated with the traditional Muga silk industry. "From nurturing trees for years to earning better livelihoods today, this is the story of how Muga sericulture is transforming lives across Assam," Sarma said.
Muga silk, known for its natural golden sheen and durability, is unique to Assam and holds a Geographical Indication (GI) tag. The silk is produced by the semi-domesticated Muga silkworm and has long been an integral part of the state's cultural and economic heritage.
The Chief Minister's remarks come amid the state government's continued efforts to strengthen the handloom and sericulture sectors through various welfare and livelihood-generation initiatives. These measures include support for silkworm rearers, expansion of host plant cultivation, financial assistance to weavers, skill development programmes and improved market access for traditional products.
Officials said the Muga value chain supports thousands of families across several districts, including rearers, farmers, reelers, spinners and weavers. Increased government support and rising demand for authentic Muga products have contributed to higher income opportunities for rural households. The Assam government has been promoting sericulture as a key avenue for employment generation, particularly among women and self-help groups in rural areas.
Efforts are also underway to boost production of Muga silk while preserving traditional knowledge and ensuring sustainable cultivation practices. Industry stakeholders believe that with growing domestic and international recognition, Assam's Muga silk sector has significant potential to contribute to rural development and strengthen the state's handloom economy.
The Chief Minister reiterated the government's commitment to supporting artisans, weavers and sericulture farmers, describing the sector as an important pillar of Assam's cultural identity and economic growth.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Good initiative, but let's not forget the challenges. Muga silkworms are very delicate and host plant cultivation takes years. Farmers need consistent technical support and fair pricing, not just social media posts. Hope the government walks the talk with real infrastructure and market access.
Muga silk is a gem of Assam—literally golden! I've bought authentic Muga sarees for my wife and the quality is incredible. If we can boost production sustainably and crack export markets, this could be a game-changer for the Northeast economy. Kudos to the weavers.
As someone who loves handloom textiles from India, I'm glad to see Muga getting attention. The GI tag is crucial—it protects the authenticity of this unique silk. Hope it leads to fair wages for the artisans who keep this tradition alive.
Great to see the CM highlighting sericulture! I've visited some Muga clusters in upper Assam—the skill and patience of the rearers is amazing. But we need more training centres and better access to credit for small farmers. Otherwise, middlemen eat up the profits.
Interesting read. Muga silk sounds like a wonderful sustainable resource. I hope the government's efforts include protecting the traditional knowledge and ecosystem. Modernisation shouldn't come at the cost of the environment or the artisans' well-being.
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