In the north-eastern part of the country, the government of India has decided to inject a massive amount of Rs. 690 crores in the silk sector which has come as a fresh impetus to silk farming, Central Silk Board (CSB) Chairman K M Hanumantharayappa informed.
Around 21 per cent to the total silk production of India is contributed by the north-eastern region. The investment will give a boost to the dying mulberry farms in Meghalaya which are almost 100 years old.
Under North East Region Textile Promotion Scheme (NERTPS), there are least 24 projects and the fund raised will be used to implement those projects. “Out of total 24, Assam has got six, one is for Sikkim, two each in Meghalaya and Manipur and the rest in other states,” CSB Chief said.
The government through this scheme aimed at a holistic development of sericulture, has been categorized under the Integrated Sericulture Development Project (ISDP) and the Intensive Bivoltine Sericulture Development Project (IBSDP) covering Mulberry, Eri and Muga.
This year production of eri reached 3,600 tonnes, muga 141 tonnes while mulberry silk stood at 45 tonnes. The government is also planning to promote silk farming in the NE states. The Government’s move is also aimed to counter China’s silk production.
– Apparel and Textile News, Apparel Talk, Indian Apparel
