GUWAHATI: The eight edition of International Conference on Wild Silk Moths will be organised with a three-day programme from January 22 next here, where scientists, delegates and other stakeholders from 13 countries will discuss strategies and share knowledge on improving wild silk production and quality globally.
Ranjit Ranjan Okhandlar, member secretary of Silk Board of India on Friday said, “This is the second time India is hosting this meet. We have chosen Guwahati as the venue as North East is the hub of wild silk moth in the country.”
He said 300 delegates would participate in the meet and 170 research papers had been submitted, out of which 70 papers would be presented in the meet by the researchers themselves while the rest had been received through post.
He hoped that the conference would provide a good opportunity to all stakeholders to meet and interact and abreast themselves with the latest research and development, machineries, equipment, etc.
The Conference has been organised by the Central Silk Board, Ministry of Textiles, government of India, and International Society for Wild Silk Moths, Japan.
A silk product exhibition is being organised along with the Conference where producers from across the country will showcase their wares.
On the prospects silk production in North Eastern region, the member secretary said various schemes are being implemented in the region, which accounts for 21% of silk produced in the country.
He mentioned of the North Eastern Region Promotion Scheme, under which Rs 890 crore was being spent on supporting state sericulture departments through subsidies, R&D, encouraging industries, etc. The scheme, which will run from 2014 to 2019, has targeted to reach 50,000 beneficiaries and 25,000 acres of land.