Reeta Kamble of Eastern Panorama spoke to Miss. Khonglam on various aspects of Sericulture. The following are the excerpts of the interview. EP: Madam, you have been working as the Director of Sericulture for quite sometime. Can you tell us what opportunities Sericulture offers for generation of income and employment?

AK: Sericulture and weaving in Meghalaya are the two important cottage industries in rural areas. These twin industries portray the cultural ethos and rich heritage of the people of the state. Sericulture and weaving play a very important role in providing self employment opportunities and additional earning especially for the rural women. The climate in Meghalaya is conducive for rearing of Eri, Muga and Mulberry silkworms. Rearing of Eri, Muga and Mulberry is being practiced by the rural people of the state, mostly by women. At present there are around 28,000 Sericultural farmers and 23,000 weavers in the state. The additional income at the farmer’s level and production of Eri, Muga and Mulberry cocoons is ranging from ` 3,000/- to ` 50,000/- or ` 1, 00,000/- annually. Training was conducted for the educated youth in the State Institute both for Sericulture and Handloom for self employment.

Sericulture and weaving in Meghalaya are the two important cottage industries in rural areas. These twin industries portray the cultural ethos and rich heritage of the people of the state.

I feel happy to mention that now the people are coming by themselves to take up the activities in both Sericulture and Handloom Weaving Industries. The climate for rearing of Muga Silkworms has been favorable in Garo and West Khasi Hills since time immemorial but now due to climatic changes the Muga Silkworm rearing has been taken up in some pockets of Jowai, Ri-Bhoi and East Khasi Hills Districts. Now, the Department through implementation of the Central Scheme is providing spinning machines for Eri yarn and Muga reeling machines for producing the Muga silk yarn to the farmers. Sericulture and handloom activities are now extending to the non-traditional areas and the response is very good. As such Sericulture and weaving is generating employment as well as increasing the socio - economic conditions of the rural people in the state.

EP: How do you grade the program of Sericulture in Meghalaya compared to other states of the North East?

AK: Meghalaya stands second in production of Eri and Muga Silk Yarn i.e. next to Assam.

EP: Don’t you feel that compared to Suwalkuchi in Assam, Meghalaya has lacked behind. Even the Khasi Dharas are coming from Suwalkuchi?

AK: Yes! However, I can say that the traditional dress weaved out of the Eri yarn like Eri shawls, Eri stools, Eri mufflers, Thoh saru, Khyrwang are produced in our State (Ri-Bhoi District and Jaintia Hills District) and the production is increasing every year. Perhaps in the XIIth Plan period the Department will be in a better position and the production of silk fabrics will be increased further with the possibility of export outside.

The Khasi Dhara is woven out of Mulberry silk yarn and the same is produced in the Department centres but the production is very small and cannot fully meet the demand of the market.

EP: What recommendations will you make for further improvement in this sector?

AK: Strengthening of Departmental seed farms for producing/supplying of good and healthy seeds to the farmers. Improvement of infrastructure facilities to the farmers and weavers. Educate the farmers to spin and reel the cocoons produced for production of silk yarn. Motivate the farmers to adopt improved technologies. Establish of cocoon markets for better income to the farmers. Improvement of vegetable dyes. Proper maintenance of the plants used for dyes. Improve the designs of fabrics through the engagement of designers.

EP: Are you getting any incentive from government organizations like Silk Board?

AK: The Central Silk Board is providing technical and financial assistance through implementation of the Scheme ‘Catalytic Development Programme’. A good amount of funds is granted by the Central Silk Board during the XIth Plan. The scheme itself is beneficiary oriented. The implementation of this scheme has got great impact in improving the production for better earnings.

EP: Would you like to mention any memorable event of yours?

AK:Through implementation of Central Schemes i.e. Catalytic Development Programme in Sericulture and Integrated Handloom Development Scheme in Handlooms, the farmers and weavers respectively are in better position now. I am also happy to mention that the Government of Meghalaya has focused on the Sericulture and Weaving Department as one of the priority departments for taking into its potentiality. I also express my happiness to state that the activities of Sericulture and Weaving in the state are improving a lot in respect to production of silk yarn as well as Handloom fabrics. Muga culture is very popular now in the state.

Reeta Kamble