Photo Courtesy: nenews
Guwahati: PepsiCo India and the Mrida Heart 'N' Soil Foundation have opened an Eri Silk Development Hub in Chengnoi, located in Assam's Nalbari district. The project aims to bolster traditional silk production while creating jobs for rural women. It operates under the company's RevolutioNari initiative. This effort combines local knowledge with modern tech and financial inclusion.
The hub features 10 solar-powered spinning machines and two looms. Output has jumped 2.5 times. Three product lines are ready for commercial sale. Twenty-five households now participate in the value chain, up from just two. These families are enrolled in formal handloom systems using Pehchan Cards and Yarn Passbooks to access government subsidies.
Data shows 3,510 women have engaged with the project through awareness programs. Over 100 women received training in five trades, with 30 specifically focused on Eri silk production. Partners also use blockchain to track products from start to finish.
Yashika Singh, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer for PepsiCo India and South Asia, stated, "At PepsiCo India, our RevolutioNari initiative is fueled by the belief that inclusive growth begins at the community level, when women have the skills, confidence and opportunities to shape their own futures."
The project arrives alongside PepsiCo's new food manufacturing plant in Nalbari. It works with the Weavers' Service Centre in Guwahati to refine designs. The team plans to scale this village model to neighboring areas. The Bodo community has long practiced this craft, but high labor demands previously stifled growth. Now, new tech ensures speed without losing the authentic nature of the silk.
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