Aizawl Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh on Monday rolled out an ambitious plan to position Mizoram as a national leader in Muga silk production.
Singh, who is on a two-day visit, visited the Sericulture Training Institute in Aizawl’s Zimapuk area during the day and inspected the silk winding factory there.
Addressing farmers and weavers at a function held at STI, Singh said his visit was aimed at forging deeper ties with farmers, and not just delivering official messages.
He highlighted Mizoram’s unique position as the only state in the North-Eastern region that produces all the four major silk varieties Muga, Eri, Mulberry and Tasar.
Singh announced that efforts are underway to transform the state into a leading state in Muga silk production.
He said that under the Silk Samagra 2.0 scheme, a large financial package has been allocated to the state.
According to officials, Rs. Mizoram has been allocated Rs 59.74 crore under Silk Samagra 2.0 scheme from 2021-22 to January 2026 to improve silk production.
Singh also proposed the development of cluster farming, stating that he wanted to designate four districts of Lunglei, Champhai, Setwal and Siaha as muja producing districts, while encouraging other districts to focus on different types of silk.
He said the Central Silk Board would provide support to cluster-based initiatives to accelerate farmers’ progress.
The Union Minister said that the climatic and soil conditions in Mizoram are very suitable for sericulture and expressed satisfaction with the recent sector’s growth rate of 5.5 to 6 per cent per annum.
According to him, more than 6,000 farmers and nearly 19,000 people in all 11 districts of the state depend on sericulture as their primary source of livelihood.
Singh also called for organized competition among farmers, introduction of performance standards and incentives for high performers for the progress of farmers.
He also mentioned plans to link local weavers with institutions such as the National Institute of Fashion Technology to enhance design, branding and market access.
Minister of State for Sericulture Lalthansanga, who accompanied the Union Minister, acknowledged the benefits of central schemes and stressed the urgent need for infrastructure development in the sericulture sector.
He also requested continued assistance from the Centre.
Lalthansanga noted that a processing unit has already been set up under Silk Samagra 2.0, and the cocoons produced in Mizoram are being marketed outside the state.
He also noted that sericulture is the main focus area under the state’s flagship program ‘Banna Kay’ or hand-holding scheme.
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