Shillong, August 21: An Awareness Programme on Muga and Eri Sericulture for Youth Empowerment was conducted at Umsohpieng, West Khasi Hills, under MRMA 2.0, with the participation of local Muga and Eri farmers and youth. The programme focused on promoting sericulture as a sustainable livelihood, employment and entrepreneurial opportunity for the younger generation.
During the programme, Shri Mahasankar Majumdar, Scientist-C, shared technical knowledge on improved Muga and Eri rearing technologies. Practical demonstrations were conducted on scientific disinfection procedures, host plant management, improved rearing practices and spinning techniques. The demonstrations helped farmers and youth understand the importance of adopting scientific practices for reducing crop losses and improving cocoon quality.
A Local Sericulture Demonstrator was also present during the programme and actively supported the interaction with farmers and youth, providing field-level guidance and facilitating communication on local sericulture practices and requirements.
The programme covered scientific Muga and Eri rearing, host plant management, pest and disease management, improved technologies and value-addition opportunities. Special attention was given to challenges such as herbicide and pesticide exposure, shortage of Muga rearing nets, inadequate rearing appliances and lack of separate Eri rearing houses.
The importance of community-based host plant plantations, SHGs, farmer groups and youth-led enterprises in rearing, spinning, weaving and value addition was also discussed.
The programme emphasized that Muga and Eri sericulture can be developed as a viable enterprise for youth, creating employment opportunities while strengthening rural livelihoods and sustainable sericulture clusters in West Khasi Hills under MRMA 2.0.
