SHILLONG: The Central Silk Board has asked the state government to take interest and assist the board in implementing various programmes and schemes in the state for the benefit of farmers and weavers.
Addressing a press conference here on Friday, K.M.Hanumantharayappa, the chairman of Central Silk Board, said the board would help farmers in the state to the best of its capabilities and the state government should cooperate with the board. It may be mentioned here that the utilisation of funds in the state as far as silk is concerned has been satisfactory.
Stating that the silk in the region is of very good quality, he said the board has laid special emphasis on production of muga, silk and mulberry for the Northeast.
He said that while a mulberry project worth Rs 29 crore is being implemented in Thadlaskein in West Jaintia Hills, as many as 24 projects worth Rs 690 crore are being implemented in the North-eastern states.
During his visit to the state, Hanumantharayappa will visit various sericulture farms and project sites.
Moncy Issac, deputy secretary, Central Silk Board (Technical), informed that silk, mulberry and muga cultivation was practiced in more than 100 districts of the North East but lack of awareness was a problem.
Revealing data, Issac informed that the total contribution of the North East region in silk production was eight per cent in 1997 which has now increased to 21 per cent. “The board has set a target of 30 per cent from North Eastern states by the year 2030,” he said.
