Categories
Sericulture in Assam
By Assam on September 11, 2007
Assam has got a suitable climate and environment for practicing sericulture. There are three varieties of Silk Worms found in Assam, namely - 1. Muga Silk Worms, whose cocoon can be reeled, 2. Eri Silk Worms, whose cocoon can’t be reeled and 3. Paat or Mulberry Silk Worms.
1. Muga Silk
Muga Silk is the most prestigious silk of Assam. This unique silk is mostly found in Assam only. The reason is - Muga Silk Worms cannot survive in any climate other than that of Assam or North East. The scientific name of Muga Silk Worm is “Anthera Assama”. Assamese people are very very proud of this silk. The colour of this silk is “Golden”, that gives it the unique identity. Assam is the largest producer of this “Golden Silk” in the World.
Muga Silk Worms are rared in almost all districts of Brahmaputra valley. According to Assam Government records, about 2625 hectares of land are utilised for production of Muga Silk, in Assam. About 30,000 Assamese households are related with Muga Silk production. There are 15 Muga Silk Reeling units in Assam. Sericulture department of Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat is doing various research and extension activities for development of Muga Silk Industry. Central Silk Board, India is also engaged in the development of Muga Silk.
2. Eri Silk
Eri Silk Worm rearing is a tradition of Assam from time immemorial. Eri silk worms feeds on castor leaves and the cocoon can’t be reeled. So it needs spinning! The rearing, spinning and weaving of Eri Silk is carried out in almost all the districts of Assam. The total area under the cultivation of food plants of Eri Silk Worm is the state counts for about 2993 hectares. At present, the state has 21 Eri Silk Spinning training centres. There is also a Sup Silk Mill in Assam, located at Jagiroad. About 1.28 lakh families of Assam are engaged in the rearing and production of Muga Silk.
3. Paat or Mulberry Silk
Paat or Mulberry Silk also occupies an important place in Assam’s Sericulture. About, 40,000 families of the state are engaged in the production of Mulberry Silk. The total are under the cultivation of food plants for the mulberry silkworms is about 2300 hectares. In Assam, the Mulberry Silk Worm culture is practised on a large scale in the districts of Upper Assam. Lakhimpur, Sibsagar, Dibrugarh and Jorhat districts are the important producers of Mulberry Silk. In order to produce more and more mulberry silkworm seeds, the State Sericulture Department has also organised a systematic “Seed Organisation Programme”. A Cold Storage plant has also been set up in the Kamrup District of Assam for the preservation of Mulberry Silk Worm Seeds.
Although, silk is produced in almost every district of Assam, Sualkuchi is the main silk weaving centre of Assam. Situated in the kamrup district, Sualkuchi is also called as the “Manchester of the East”. Weavers in Sualkuchi produces amazing fabrics of Muga Silk as well as Mulberry Silk.
Recently Government of Assam has also introduced the Oak Tassar in Assam. Hill areas of Assam are suitable for cultivation of Oak Tassar, as Oak trees grows in abundance there. In the two hill districts of Assam - Karbi Anglong and North Cachar, five Tassar Centres have been set up for the production of seeds and rearing of Oak Tassar.
Readers Comments
Assam »
Three Bomb Blasts in Guwahati
January 1, 2009
At least 5 people were killed and more than 50 injured in three bomb blasts that rocked Assam’s capital city Guwahati today. The bombs went off just a few hours before Union Home Minister P Chidambaram landed in the city. According to police sources, no one has taken responsibility for the blasts. But police sources [...]
Hollywood »
John Travolta’s Son Jett dies At 16
January 2, 2009
Hollywood superstar John Travolta’s teenage son, Jett, died on Friday during a family vacation in the Bahamas. According to Police sources, the teenage boy became ill and hit his head on the bathtub. The actor’s lawyer, Michael Ossi, said Jett Travolta, 16, had a history of seizures and suffered one on Friday morning. Every attempts [...]
News »
India-Pakistan exchanges lists of Nuclear installations
January 1, 2009
India and Pakistan today, exchanged lists of their nuclear installations and facilities covered under the Agreement on the Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear Installations and Facilities between both the countries. The exchange was done through diplomatic channels, simultaneously at New Delhi and Islamabad.
India handed over its list to Pakistan High Commission officials at the External [...]
Technology »
Air New Zealand conducts first biofuel test flight
December 30, 2008
On Tuedsay, Air New Zealand created a new aviation history by successfully conducting the world’s first ever commercial aviation test flight powered by fuel from the seeds of the African jatropha plant. A biofuel blend of 50-50 jatropha and Jet A1 fuel was used to power one of the airline’s Boeing 747-400’s Rolls-Royce engines.
“It is [...]
Health and Fitness »
Premature babies are less sensitive to hot and cold
December 27, 2008
Premature babies who need intensive care or surgery are less sensitive to hot and cold sensations later in life, suggests a new study published in journal Pain. The research conducted by University College London (UCL) suggested that pain and injury related to major medical interventions in early development may alter how children respond to painful [...]
Science »
Chandrayaan finds iron reserves on Moon
December 29, 2008
An experiment on board India’s first moon mission Chandrayaan-I has indicated that there are abundant iron containing minerals on the lunar surface. According to news reports, data sent back to earth by the Moon Mineralogy Mapper (M3) instrument of the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) indicates abundance of iron-bearing minerals such as [...]
I am a textile design consultant who has been working with weaving coops in Assam trying to develop new products for the domestic market and export in Muga and Eri. I hope to return soon.
I think this is a very informative website.
Thank you.
Barbara Arlen
Barbara Arlen Design & Associates
New York City
b.arlen@mac.com
I am looking for information on “whether the mulberry trees are likely to be affected by the temperature and humidity changes due to climate change and how the impacts of climate can be overcome”
We are interested to develop computer software on Application of computers in sericulture, kindly suggest as to how we could cooperate with each other in this
project of developing the software.
Dr.Mrs.Sushma Joiya
National President
9864227424