Source: Press Information Bureau (PIB), Government of India — Ministry of Textiles PIB Delhi Read the original release on pib.gov.in
The Government has taken important steps towards modernizing sericulture infrastructure and strengthening rural livelihoods in the North Eastern region. Minister of State for Textiles Pavitra Margherita inaugurated the newly constructed granage building and cold storage facility at CSB-Silkworm Seed Production Center (SSPC), Rowariah, Jorhat. This program was concluded in the dignified presence of Kamakhya Prasad Tasa (MP, Kaziranga), Hitendra Nath Goswami (MLA, Jorhat), Dr. Deepjyoti Rajkhowa (Vice Chancellor), Mrs. Lakhimi Dutta (Director, Sericulture, Government of Assam), P. Shivakumar (Member Secretary, Central Silk Board) and senior officers and heads of various organizations under the Ministry of Textiles.
This state-of-the-art facility established under the North Eastern Region Textile Promotion Scheme (NERTPS) has an annual capacity to produce 30 lakh disease-free eggs (DFLs) of mulberry hybrid seeds and preserve 1 crore DFLs. This infrastructure will help in ensuring timely availability of quality silkworm seed in the region and increase the efficiency of seed production. This upgraded facility is expected to further strengthen the regional sericulture value chain, provide employment opportunities and create business opportunities for local suppliers and traders. This will contribute to the socio-economic development of silk producing farmers.
Speaking at a public meeting organized on this occasion, Minister of State for Textiles Pavitra Margherita said that good quality silkworm seeds, modern infrastructure, technology and skill development are very important to make the sericulture sector productive and sustainable. He mentioned the strong seed production network of the Central Silk Board, which covers both mulberry and vanya (wild silk) sectors. He informed that CSB- NSSO caters to the needs of the mulberry seed sector, while BTSSO and MESSO support the Vanya seed sector. Giving information about the rich silk heritage of Assam and the potential of the North-Eastern region, he informed that the state contributes about 79% of India's Muga silk production and 74% of Eri silk production. Also, during 2026-27 (April-July), Assam recorded raw production of 9 MT mulberry silk, 2131 MT Eri silk and 73 MT Muga silk. In the same period, the North Eastern region recorded production of 142 MT mulberry silk, 3 MT Tasar silk, 2890 MT Eri silk and 87 MT Muga silk. These production figures further emphasize the need to strengthen the ecosystem of sericulture in Assam and the North-Eastern region. He emphasized on the huge livelihood potential in this area. It is estimated that during 2025-26, silk production will provide employment to about 29.50 lakh people. He also stressed the strong potential of the region in Vanya silk production and its growing importance in India's silk economy. He said initiatives like ‘Mission Snehjori’ can help transform Muga silk into a high-value global product. He stressed the importance of entrepreneurship and collaboration between all stakeholders to increase the productivity of farmers, provide rural livelihood opportunities and strengthen the ‘Atmanirbhar North East’. He called for better collaboration between the Central Silk Board, State Government, research institutes, farmers, entrepreneurs and other concerned parties to contribute to the development of ‘Developed Assam’ and thereby ‘Developed India’.
Under this programme, an interactive ‘Seri-Stakeholder Meet’ was organized to interact with people associated with the sericulture sector and discuss the issues related to it. Progressive sericulture farmers were honored and directly distributed P1 disease-free eggs (layings). Certificates were also given to the trainees who successfully completed the training under the flagship 'Samarth Scheme' of the Textile Ministry. The scheme promotes skill development and capacity building in the textile and sericulture ecosystem.
This inauguration is an important milestone in CSB's efforts to strengthen the silkworm seed production ecosystem in Assam and the North Eastern region. This provides farmers with good quality seeds, modern infrastructure and better livelihood opportunities.
This is the official press release issued by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), and is published without changes.
