Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Guwahati: The central government has launched Mission Senehjori, a Rs 411-crore project designed to revitalize Assam's Muga silk sector. Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region Jyotiraditya Scindia and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma virtually inaugurated the initiative on June 2. The program seeks to elevate the industry into a globally competitive luxury textile market while supporting approximately 2.6 lakh weavers, rearers, and entrepreneurs.
Known as the world's only naturally golden silk, Muga silk holds the distinction of being India's first Geographical Indication tagged textile. Despite its global heritage, the sector has struggled with under-monetization. Mission Senehjori aims to resolve this by building a traceable and export-oriented economy under the brand name Senehjori. The mission focuses on a cluster-based development model across districts such as Jorhat, Sivasagar, Lakhimpur, Dhemaji, Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, Majuli, and Sualkuchi.
The three-year plan includes investments in host-plant cultivation, modern reeling infrastructure, and the establishment of common facility centers. It also emphasizes Geographical Indication authentication and the promotion of farmer producer organizations. The Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region is anchoring the project in collaboration with the Central Silk Board, the Ministry of Textiles, and the Assam government. With a total budget of up to Rs 411 crore, the initiative intends to create sustainable livelihoods while securing global recognition for this cultural heritage asset.
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