Sericulture

Sericulture in the NE region comprises the culture of four varieties of silk worms viz. Eri, Muga, Oak Tassar and Mulberry. While the third one is a new introduction other cultures are traditional from time immemorial.

Ericulture is not an organised commercial activity as in the case of mulberry. Ericulture is prevalent mainly amongst the tribals in hill districts of Assam and northern hill areas of Meghalaya. Lower Brahmaputra Valley is the traditional home of eri spinners and weavers producing bulk of eri yarn and fabric.

In Arunachal Pradesh ericulture is practised in the foothills and plain areas. The eri cocoons are utilised locally. In Meghalaya, Ericulture is practised in Ri-Bhoi and Garo Hills. In Nagaland the plain areas practise ericulture. The total production of raw silk in the North Eastern Region is about 877,000 kg. The highest production of raw silk is highest in Assam (527,000 kg) followed by Manipur (187,000 kg) and Meghalaya (131,000 kg). The famous golden silk, Muga culture in the Brahmaputra valley of Assam is traditional. Assam alone produces 86,000 kg of raw muga. In Arunachal Pradesh muga culture has been newly introduced, although occasionally wild muga seed cocoons are produced in certain foothill areas. Meghalaya is a good source of basic seed cocoons specially from areas bordering Assam. In Nagaland there is one Muga sub-centre of about 60 ha. producing good cocoons. In the state of Mizoram, Manipur and Tripura Muga culture is a new introduction. Oak Tassar culture is a new introduction in the states of N.E. Region. In all the states a number of Oak Tassar Centres have been established. Assam is the fifth largest producer of mulberry silk in India. In view of favourable climatic conditions all type of silk worms are reared but these are scattered over in remote areas thereby making supervision and collection of cocoons difficult.

Production of Raw Silk in NER, 2006-07

('000 kg)

Source : Central Silk Board, Ministry of Textiles

Central Silk Board implemented Central and centrally sponsored schemes in the North-Eastern region for development of Sericulture and silk industry in the state with cost sharing by the centre and state in the ratio of 90:10 respectively. Under the Centrally sponsored Catalytic Development Programme of the X plan, there is thrust inter-alia on development of non-mulberry sector. The percentage of sericulture budget earmarked towards promotion and development of sericulture in NE region during the X Plan is as under.

(Rs. in Crore)

Besides, under the SGSY project of the Ministry of Rural Development also financial assistance is being provided for various sericulture projects in the states of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram & Nagaland with CSB’s technical assistance. With this convergence strategy, as described above, a substantially higher availability of funds was offered for the sector.

Present Status of Sericulture in NER

Silk Production in Northeastern Region 2005-2006

Source : Silk Board, Guwahati.

Silk Production in Northeastern Region 2005-2006

Source : Silk Board, Guwahati.

Silk Production in Northeastern Region 2005-2006

Source : Silk Board, Guwahati.

Silk Production in Northeastern Region 2005-2006

Source : Silk Board, Guwahati.