Shillong, March 11: The Central Silk Board,Ministry of Textiles Government if India,MESSO in collaboration with DoS Assam conducted a workshop on Muga and Eri Culture from Farmers Prospective and Seed Act Awareness program at Assam Administrative Staff College, Khanapara on 06 March 2024.
The workshop was graced by Chief guest Smt Kajori Rajkhowa, Director DoS Assam, Chairperson Dr. B.K. Singh, Retd Director, CMERTI and Consultant DoS Nagaland, Special guest Dr. Rangam Rajkhowa Associate Professor, Deaken University, Australia, Dr.Jogesh Deuri Retd Director BTC, Shri B.Choudhary Retd Sc-D and Head, MESSO Guwahati and Shri SAS Rahman Scientist D RSRS Boko and Dr BB Singha Retd Sc-D MESSO.
Dr Kartik Neog delivered the inaugural address and stressed on the role of CSB in shaping Sericulture industry in NE as it is celebrating its platinum jubilee year. All Assam Sericulture Farmers Association (AASFA) President Sri Kiron Phukan raised concerned about incidences of rearing failure in past years and the need of muga conservation.
He also requested exposure visit for Assam farmers so that they can upgrade themselves on national and global forums. Dr Jogesh Deuri emphasised on special drive on plantation of eri. Shri B Choudhary briefed the impact of climate change on muga rearing and management.
He also stressed on the coordination of different NE states for cooler zone rearing for managing the hurdles of summer crop which will ensure timely supply of muga seeds (dfls) for commercial crop. Dr Rangam Rajkhowa emphasised on the biomedical and non Textile application of silk of medical and bioengineering field.
The Chief guest Smt Kajori Rajkhowa expressed the recommendation of workshop for implementation at field level in the form of scheme and urged the farmers and stakeholders to be in touch with state Sericulture and central Silk Board for holistic development of the industry.
Dr. B.K. Singh who acted as the chairperson of the program told the audience how India holds the potential to become a global leader in Silk by 2047 and how farmers, entrepreneurs and stakeholders can prove a game changer for the industry.
In this workshop more than 100 stakeholders are participated.During the day long discussion discussion on the impact of pesticide, rearing management, changing of crop schedule, skill development program to attract youth awareness and participation for Sericulture industry, need based training and Seed Act awareness implementation among farmers were the prime points of discussion.
In this workshop farmers from Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland actively participated. Shri Satish Choudhary Innovator and Creator of Saraswati machine performed a live demonstration for spinning and reeling. In addition to Muga crop insurance modalities was also discussed by National Agricultural Insurance Limited for crop protection in muga a scheme which will be launched soon.
