A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed yesterday between Indian Oil Corp Ltd (IOCL) and the Ri-Bhoi district administration for the supply of 254 solar-powered Eri spinning units.
This initiative, part of IOCL’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme, has been sanctioned at an estimated cost of Rs 62.98 lakh.
Speaking to the media, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Ri-Bhoi, Raja Brahma, stated that the DC’s office has taken the initiative to establish Eri spinning centres in 30 Eri-rearing villages. These centres will enable local Eri farmers to process their cocoons into yarn, thereby increasing their earnings. While raw Eri cocoons are sold at approximately Rs 600 per kilogramme, machine-spun yarn fetches around Rs 3,000 per kg.
“The spinning centres will be operated by village organisations under the supervision of the Meghalaya State Rural Livelihoods Society (MSRLS) and the DC’s office,” Brahma informed.
