Assam unveils mission to convert Muga silk waste into high-value yarn

GUWAHATI

The Assam government has unveiled a mission to convert the Geographical Indication-tagged Muga silk waste into high-value spun yarn.

Specific to Assam, Muga is the costliest of the four commercial varieties of silk produced by the State’s sericulturists. The others are Eri, Paat, and Tasar.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the programme, a key initiative under the State’s Budget for the current fiscal, is envisaged to reduce wastage, improve resource utilisation, and create new employment opportunities.

“The iconic Muga is Assam’s pride, yet nearly 40% of its cocoons go to waste,” he posted on X on Sunday (July 19, 2026) evening.

He said Mission Senehjori has been designed to ensure that the Muga silk cocoons do not become “waste and unusable”. He added that the mission, involving investments in infrastructure, “will efficiently convert silk waste into high-value spun yarn.”

According to official estimates, Assam’s silk industry supports more than 7 lakh households and provides direct employment to about 2.6 lakh families across approximately 10,500 villages. It is one of the State’s most employment-intensive sectors, with women comprising over 70% of the workforce.