In a major initiative aimed at strengthening Assam's traditional Muga silk industry, Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Jyotiraditya Scindia on Tuesday virtually launched Mission Muga Silk 'Senehjori', a Rs 411-crore project designed to benefit more than 2.5 lakh weavers, rearers and entrepreneurs associated with the sector.
According to the press release, the launch event held at Sanchar Bhawan in New Delhi was attended by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Minister of State for Textiles Pabitra Margherita, and Minister of State for DoNER Sukanta Majumdar, among others.
Describing the initiative as a transformative step for Assam’s renowned “golden thread”, Scindia said the mission will enhance value addition, improve production and quality, and strengthen the global competitiveness of Muga silk. He said the initiative aims to take Muga silk “from farm gate to foreign shore”, with implementation planned over three years from 2026 to 2028.
The Union Minister highlighted that the initiative aligns with the Centre’s broader vision for the Northeast region, where each state has been identified for its unique strengths under the “Ashtalakshmi” framework. He noted that Assam has been recognised for its globally famous Muga silk.
The mission involves collaboration among 11 stakeholders, including multiple central ministries, the Government of Assam, and institutions such as APEDA, ICAR and DRDO, along with representatives from weaving and rearing communities.
As part of the project, five modern reeling units will be set up at Jorhat, Sivasagar, Sualkuchi, Majuli and Lakhimpur. A dedicated Muga spun silk unit will also be established at Dhemaji to improve processing and value addition.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the initiative would significantly boost the Muga silk sector, which remains a symbol of the state’s cultural identity and heritage. He expressed confidence that the project would unlock the economic potential of the sector, which has remained largely underutilised.
He also highlighted that the Geographical Indication (GI) tag for Muga silk has already strengthened its global identity, and said the new mission would further enhance both quality and production capacity.
Minister of State for Textiles Pabitra Margherita and Minister of State for DoNER Sukanta Majumdar also addressed the gathering. The event was virtually connected with weavers, rearers, entrepreneurs and stakeholders across Assam.
Senior officials, including DoNER Secretary Sanjay Jaju and other state and central representatives, were present, while Assam Chief Secretary Dr Ravi Kota joined virtually.
The programme also featured interactions with stakeholders and a presentation highlighting the heritage of Assam’s Muga silk.
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