Imphal: Manipur farmers are turning to sericulture as a way to steady their incomes and combat climate change. The state is home to a temperate to subtropical climate ideal for producing all four major silk varieties found in India: Mulberry, Eri, Tasar, and Muga. Perennial host plants provide long-term green cover and absorb atmospheric carbon while supporting silkworm growth.
Shorensangbam Deben Singh, a 56-year-old farmer from Kumbi Terakhong in the Bishnupur district, shifted his two-acre farm from conventional paddy to an integrated sericulture system. He started with 450 mulberry saplings in 2010. His wife, Toijam Latarani, assists in the operation. He now plants seasonal vegetables between his mulberry rows to maximize land use.
Deben noted the economic edge over traditional crops. "According to my experience, I have doubled my income after adopting this farming method," he said. He earns at least Rs 4 lakh annually from cocoons and vegetables. He added that mulberry plantations remain productive for 20 to 25 years, unlike paddy, which leaves land empty and unproductive between cycles.
Technical guidance comes from the Manipur government’s Sericulture Department, the Central Silk Board, and the Regional Sericulture Research Station. Silkworms can be reared four to five times a year. Peak production occurs in March and September, hitting 120 kg. November marks the lowest production cycle. Deben prunes his plants in July and December.
Despite the promise, the industry faces severe environmental threats. Rising heat, erratic rainfall, and humidity fluctuations stress silkworms and host plants. Guruaribam Joshikanta Sharma, Superintendent of the Manipur Sericulture Department, emphasized the need for modern techniques. "Sericulture farming has become a challenging task with the advent of climate change. Farmers should not rely only on conventional methods of sericulture," Sharma stated.
Production data shows recent volatility. Total output of Mulberry, Eri, Oak Tasar, and Muga silk hit 466.92 metric tonnes in 2021-22. Subsequent years saw a sharp drop in production. Sharma attributed this decline partly to the ongoing conflict in Manipur, which cut off access to farms in vulnerable zones. Despite this, Manipur remains a leader in the sector. It produced 2 MT of Oak Tasar silk in 2025-26, the highest among all Indian states.
The Sericulture Department is now pushing for scientific management. Officials are running training programs focused on climate-resilient crop management to help farmers mitigate disease and pest risks. The state hopes that better technical support will foster long-term rural growth.
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