- Union MoS for Textiles Pabitra Margherita inaugurated the facility at CSB-SSPC, Rowriah, Jorhat.
- Annual capacity is 30 lakh Disease-Free Layings of mulberry hybrid seed.
- The facility can preserve up to 1 crore Disease-Free Layings.
- Assam produces about 79% of India's Muga silk and 74% of its Eri silk.
- Sericulture is estimated to have employed around 29.50 lakh persons in 2025-26.
A new silkworm seed facility in Jorhat, Assam, can produce 30 lakh Disease-Free Layings (DFLs) of mulberry hybrid seed every year. Union Minister of State for Textiles Pabitra Margherita inaugurated it on Rowriah’s CSB-Silkworm Seed Production Centre.
The facility includes a new Grainage Building and a Cold Storage unit. It was built under the North-East Region Textile Promotion Scheme (NERTPS). Besides production, it can preserve up to 1 crore DFLs.
Officials said the facility will help ensure timely supply of quality silkworm seed. They also said it should raise seed production efficiency in the region. Local suppliers and traders are expected to find new business, and sericulture farmers should see economic gains.
Production figures for Assam and the North-East
Margherita said Assam contributes about 79% of India’s Muga silk and 74% of its Eri silk. He gave production figures for 2026-27 (April-July):
| Region | Silk type | Raw silk production (MT) |
|---|---|---|
| Assam | Mulberry | 9 |
| Assam | Eri | 2131 |
| Assam | Muga | 73 |
| North-East Region | Mulberry | 142 |
| North-East Region | Tasar | 3 |
| North-East Region | Eri | 2890 |
| North-East Region | Muga | 87 |
Seed network and jobs
Margherita said the Central Silk Board runs a seed production network covering both mulberry and Vanya sectors. CSB-NSSO serves the mulberry seed sector. BTSSO and MESSO support the Vanya seed sector.
He said sericulture is estimated to have generated employment for around 29.50 lakh persons in 2025-26. He added that the region has strong potential in Vanya silk. He also said Mission Senehjori can help turn Muga silk into a high-value global product.
He urged stronger cooperation among the Central Silk Board, the State Government, research institutions, farmers and entrepreneurs. He said this would support a Viksit Assam and, in turn, a Viksit Bharat.
Stakeholder meet and awards
An interactive Seri-Stakeholder Meet was held during the programme. Progressive sericulture farmers were felicitated. P1 Disease-Free Layings were handed directly to farmers.
Trainees who completed training under the Ministry of Textiles’ flagship Samarth Scheme received certificates. The programme was attended by Member of Parliament (Kaziranga) Kamakhya Prasad Tasa and Member of Legislative Assembly (Jorhat) Hitendra Nath Goswami, among others.
