Sericulture

Sericulture in the NE region comprises the culture of four varieties of silk worms viz. Eri, Muga, Oak Tassar and Mulberry. While the third one is a new introduction other cultures are traditional from time immemorial.

Ericulture is not an organised commercial activity as in the case of mulberry. Ericulture is prevalent mainly amongst the tribals in hill districts of Assam and northern hill areas of Meghalaya. Lower Brahmaputra Valley is the traditional home of eri spinners and weavers producing bulk of eri yarn and fabric.

In Arunachal Pradesh ericulture is practised in the foothills and plain areas. The eri cocoons are utilised locally. In Meghalaya, Ericulture is practised in Ri-Bhoi and Garo Hills. In Nagaland the plain areas practise ericulture. The highest production of raw silk is in Assam followed by Manipur and Meghalaya. The famous golden silk, Muga culture in the Brahmaputra valley of Assam is traditional. In Arunachal Pradesh muga culture has been newly introduced, although occasionally wild muga seed cocoons are produced in certain foothill areas. Meghalaya is a good source of basic seed cocoons specially from areas bordering Assam. In Nagaland there is one Muga sub-centre of about 60 ha. producing good cocoons. In the state of Mizoram, Manipur and Tripura, Muga culture is a new introduction. Oak Tassar culture is a new introduction in the states of N.E. Region. In all the states a number of Oak Tassar Centres have been established. In view of favourable climatic conditions all type of silk worms are reared but these are scattered over in remote areas thereby making supervision and collection of cocoons difficult.

State wise Target and Achievement of Raw Silk production during the last 5 Years (2018-19 to 2022-23):

(in MT)

Note: *(Till December 2022)

Source: Central Silk Board, Ministry of Textile, Govt. of India

State wise Target and Achievement of Raw Silk production during the last 5 Years (2013-14 to 2017-18):

(in MT)

Note: P (Till November 2017)

Source: Central Silk Board, Ministry of Textile, Govt. of India

State-wise Mulberry acerage (ha) in North East India, 2017-18 to 2020-21:

Source: Annual Report 2021-22, Central Silk Board

State-wise Mulberry Raw Silk Production (ton) in North East India, 2017-18 to 2020-21:

Source: Annual Report 2021-22, Central Silk Board

State-wise Production of Raw Silk in NE Region of India, 2016-17 to 2018-19:

(In Metric Tonne)

Source : Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 4418, dated on 20.03.2020.

State-wise Silk Production in NE Region of India, 2018-19 and 2022-23:

Source: Central Silk Board Annual Report, 2018-19 and 2022-23

State-wise Production of Raw Silk and Silk Yarn, 2009-10 to 2015-2016:

(In Metric tonne)

Source : Central Silk Board, Ministry of Textile, Govt. of India.

              Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Govt. of India.
              Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1913, dated on 19.08.2013.

              Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2460, dated on 27.08.2012

State-wise Number of Families Engaged in Sericulture Sector in N.E. Region:

(As on 16.02.2015)

Source: Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 533, dated on 26.02.2015