Economic potentials cocooned in Nagaland’s silk production

Eastern Mirror Desk
Dimapur, Aug. 16: The total valuation of silk produced in Nagaland during the year 2018-19 was INR 33,31,64,000 (thirty three crore thirty one lakh sixty-four thousand) as per the existing market rate. This was stated by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, who is also the minister in charge of Sericulture, during the fourth session of the 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly in Kohima this month.

The four types of silkworm used in all districts of the state are the Mulberry cocoon, Eri cocoon, Muga cocoon and Tasar cocoon.

The chief minister said that in view of the favourable agro climatic and topographic condition in the state, all the four types of silkworm have high potential for further development of silk in the state.

He further stated that the department of Sericulture is contemplating to take up more developmental programmes in the coming years by availing central assistance.

According to reports of the central government, Nagaland was among the top five producers of Muga silk during the year 2015-16.

The other states included Manipur, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya.

An annual growth of 5.06% was seen in production of Muga silk in India during 2015-16. The five states accounted for 99.4% of the total Muga silk produced in India during 2015-16, according to reports.

It also stated that production of Muga silk in Nagaland was two metric tonne during 2015-16. It accounted for 1.2% of the total Muga silk produced in India during that period.

On the website of the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) at ICAR in Jharnapani, it was stated that only three types of silkworm rearing namely mulberry, eri and muga are practiced by farmers in Dimapur, out of which, eri and muga silkworm rearing are most popular.

It stated that inadequate supply of quality silkworm seeds for mulberry, Eri and Muga; inadequate infrastructure for silkworm seed production and lack of organised marketing system were some of the problems faced in production.

According to the KCK at ICAR, the introduction of high yielding varieties of Muga food plants, imparting necessary training and skill upgrade for the rural farmers, particularly women, and technological support in the pre-cocoon process are necessary.