The Incubation Centre (LBI-MSME Incubator), in NEHU Tura campus has trained over 500 silk farmers in the past five years, which has led to a 40 per cent increase in Eri Silk production in Meghalaya.
This was informed by Nodal Officer of the centre, Dr. R Sasikumar during a capacity building programme cum workshop on Eri Silk production and livelihood improvement held for farmers in Williamnagar yesterday. He said that the centre has introduced scientific method cocoon production and facilitated direct trade linkages that led to the increase in production of Eri Silk, ensuring better farmer earnings and reduced reliance on middlemen.
Sasikumar said Meghalaya targets to increase Eri Silk production to 20 metric tons annually, generating projected earnings of Rs.150–200 crores through value-added products and global market expansion.
He also emphasised the formation of farmer cooperatives to improve market access and branding for Meghalaya’s Eri silk and said NEHU has also committed to train 250 farmers annually, ensuring continuous knowledge transfer and financial support for rural sericulture entrepreneurs.
According to the Incubation Centre, Eri Silk contributes over 90 per cent of the Northeast’s total silk output, with Meghalaya accounting for 15.6 per cent. The high participation of women and youth in Eri Silk farming makes it a major source of rural employment. However, challenges such as low-scale production, lack of R&D support, and limited financial assistance persist, the centre added.
To further strengthen the sector, the Incubation Centre, in collaboration with ICAR-NIBSM, Raipur, under the North East Hill Program (NEH), through an agreement has launched multiple initiatives to expand Eri Silk plantations, improve processing capabilities, and link farmers directly to textile industries.
The workshop was attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner A.G. Momin. In his speech, he emphasised the role of government schemes such as the Silk Samagra Yojana in providing financial assistance, infrastructure, and training for silk farmers.
The workshop covered Eri Silk processing such as boiling, draining, yarn reeling, bobbin rolling, weaving, and dying. It also covered scientific rearing techniques, disease control strategies and improved supply chain models to address these issues.
Over 100 farmers and entrepreneurs participated, receiving hands-on training and sericulture trays to support scientific rearing practices.
Discussions on future prospects, including large-scale Eri Silk farming, intercropping models, and integrating silk production with digital market platforms were also conducted.
