GUWAHATI, June 2: In a major initiative aimed at transforming Assam’s muga silk industry, Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Jyotiraditya Scindia on Tuesday virtually launched Mission Muga Silk ‘Senehjori’, a Rs 411-crore project designed to empower more than 2.5 lakh weavers, rearers and entrepreneurs associated with muga silk production in Assam.
The launch at Sanchar Bhawan in New Delhi was attended by Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Union minister of state for textiles Pabitra Margherita and Union minister of state for DoNER Sukanta Majumdar.
Describing the initiative as a transformative step for Assam’s famed ‘golden thread’, Scindia said the mission would enhance value addition, improve production and quality, economically empower stakeholders and position muga silk competitively in global markets.
“This initiative is to take muga silk from farm gate to foreign shore,” Scindia said, while launching the ambitious three-year project, which will be implemented from 2026 to 2028.
Highlighting the Centre’s vision for the Northeast, Scindia said the eight states of the region, collectively known as ‘Ashtalakshmi’, have been identified based on their unique strengths and potential.
While Nagaland has been identified for coffee, Tripura for pineapple, Sikkim for organic farming, Arunachal Pradesh for kiwi, Mizoram for organic ginger and Manipur for polo, Assam has been recognised for its world-renowned Muga Silk.
The Union minister noted that the mission involves the collaboration of 11 stakeholders, including the Ministry of DoNER, Government of Assam, Ministry of Textiles, Ministry of Cooperation, APEDA, ICAR, DRDO and representatives of the weaving and rearing communities.
As part of the project, five modern reeling units will be established at Jorhat, Sivasagar, Sualkuchi, Majuli and Lakhimpur. A dedicated muga spun silk unit will also be set up at Dhemaji to strengthen processing and value-addition capabilities.
Speaking on the occasion, Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said muga silk, a symbol of Assam’s heritage and pride, would receive a major boost through the transformative initiative.
Expressing confidence in the project’s potential, Sarma said the mission would unlock the vast economic opportunities associated with the golden thread and help realise the sector’s untapped potential.
He said the mission seeks to protect and empower the people behind the craft, particularly the farmers and weavers who form the backbone of the muga silk ecosystem.
Under the initiative, 1,180 farmer interest groups (FIGs) and 30 farmer producer organisations (FPOs) will be formed to strengthen the value chain and enhance the livelihoods of stakeholders engaged in muga silk production.
The chief minister further said digital traceability and robust GI authentication mechanisms would enable global buyers to verify the authenticity of Assam’s muga products, thereby enhancing consumer confidence and expanding international market access.
