With an aim to promote Muga culture in North Garo Hills district and to create awareness on the significance of Muga silk production a mela was held in Mendipathar yesterday.
The Muga Vanya Krishi Vigyan Mela-2022 was organised by the Muga Eri Silkworm Seed Organisation (MESSO), Central Silk Board (CSB) at P4 Unit.
About 200 Muga farmers from Resubelpara and Mendipathar took part in the event.
North Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner RP Marak hoped that the programme would bridge the gap between the silkworm rearers and the scientists of CSB in terms of scientific mechanisms involved in the silk production.
With the local silkworm farmers being passionate about Muga culture as well as the business of Muga-end products being on high demand, Marak urged farmers to develop a coordinated approach among the scientists so as to boost the silk production in the region.
Zonal Sericulture Officer Sanre G Momin said the mela will be beneficial to all the stakeholders of silk farming with the hope that the scientists will highlight improved methods on how to rear silkworms and how to produce good quality silk.
Meghalaya is one of the hubs of silk farming in the country as the practice of Muga culture has been for years therefore owing to the potential scope of Muga culture in the state the CSB intends to introduce various schemes for the welfare of the Muga farmers, informed M. Majumdar Scientist-C, MESSO, Mendipathar.
During the programme a pamphlet on ‘Package of Practices of Muga Culture’ was released by the deputy commissioner and awards were also distributed to the local progressive farmers who have contributed in the production of Muga silk in the district.
The programme was followed by a technical session highlighting the problems on Muga farming which was deliberated by Dr. L Guha, Scientist-C and Dr. V Kumar, Scientist-B.