The Assam government has launched a plantation programme for Muga silkworm food plants at Turkpara Muga Nursery in Boko, in an effort to expand host-plant resources and strengthen the traditional Muga silk industry in the state.The plantation drive was organised by the Department of Handloom, Textiles and Sericulture under the state government’s Mission Senehjori initiative. State Minister for Handloom, Textiles and Sericulture Biswajit Daimary formally inaugurated the programme on Friday.Boko-Chaygaon MLA Raju Mesh attended the programme along with senior officials of the Sericulture Department and representatives of the Directorate of Muga.
The initiative is aimed at ensuring a steady supply of food plants needed for Muga silkworm rearing. Officials said better availability of host plants would provide greater support to rearers and help strengthen the production ecosystem associated with Muga silk.Boko has considerable potential for Muga rearing, an activity that provides livelihood opportunities to several local communities. The availability of adequate food plants is an important requirement for sustaining and expanding silkworm rearing in the region.During the programme, Daimary interacted with Muga rearers and traders and discussed various issues affecting the sector. The discussions covered concerns related to production and the market for Muga produce.Daimary also said that preparations were underway to establish a Muga spinning mill in Assam. The proposed facility is expected to help rearers obtain better prices for their produce while creating additional opportunities for traders and strengthening value addition within the state.
According to the Sericulture Department, the plantation programme forms part of a wider state-level initiative involving an estimated Rs 411 crore for the development of the Muga industry and expansion of food-plant resources.The government expects the plantation drive to improve the availability of host plants across Muga-producing areas, encourage rearing activities and provide greater support to people dependent on the sector.The programme at Turkpara is therefore part of a broader effort to strengthen the foundation of Assam’s Muga silk industry, from silkworm rearing and raw material availability to processing and market opportunities.
