Shillong, Jan 24: A five-day ‘Technology Orientation Training Programme’ for muga silkworm rearers, organised by the Central Silk Board (CSB), concluded yesterday at the Muga Eri Silkworm Seed Organisation (MESSO), P-3 Unit, Nongpoh.
The training programme commenced on January 19 and was attended by 25 progressive muga sericulture farmers from Ri-Bhoi.
The programme aimed at strengthening the technical capacity of muga farmers through scientific training sessions, expert lectures and practical demonstrations. During the five-day training, participants were given information on crucial aspects of muga seed production, host plant management, pest and disease prevention, crop protection measures and scientific grainage techniques, ensuring improved productivity and sustainability in muga cocoon production, a press release stated today.
On the concluding day, senior scientists from CSB–MESSO Guwahati, namely BN Choudhury and Lopamudra Guha, attended the session and delivered expert lectures on pest management strategies in muga culture, disease management of muga silkworms, crop protection measures and the importance of disinfection and its impact on muga silkworm rearing and grainage operations. Their sessions provided valuable insights into scientific interventions required to minimise losses and enhance seed quality.
Throughout the programme, RB Lyngwa, District Sericulture Officer (DSO) along with other officials from the state Sericulture Department and CSB, interacted with the participants and highlighted various government schemes available for sericulture development.
They also emphasised the scope for entrepreneurship and income generation through scientific muga sericulture practices. As part of the training programme, an extension booklet titled ‘Integrated Insect Pest Management in Muga Silkworm Rearing’ and a pamphlet on ‘Disease-Free Muga Silkworm Seed Production Technology’ were released and distributed among the participants.
During the valedictory session, Abhishek Singh, Scientist-C and official in charge of the CSB–MESSO, P-3 Unit, Nongpoh, addressed the farmers and highlighted the objectives of the training programme and the continued efforts of the CSB to promote sustainable sericulture development in Meghalaya.
The training programme concluded with the distribution of certificates to the participants for their successful completion.
