Minister of Handloom, Textiles and Sericulture Biswajit Daimary on Friday attended the inaugural programme of the Muga Food Plantation under Mission Senehjori as the Chief Guest at Turukpara Muga Nursery Farm at Boko in Kamrup district.
The inaugural plantation drive was organised to increase the availability of Som plants, the primary food plant for Muga silkworms, and to strengthen the Muga silk production capacity of the farm. As part of the plantation drive 63 new Som seedlings were planted on the farm.
The Turukpara Muga Nursery Farm, established in 1979, covers a total area of 4 hectares and presently has around 950 Som plants. Today’s plantation initiative will further strengthen the farm’s resources and support the local Muga sericulture ecosystem.
The initiative is expected to benefit a minimum of 10 Muga farmers associated with the farm.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister emphasised the importance of strengthening the grassroots sericulture ecosystem and supporting Muga farmers through sustainable and locally suitable interventions. He highlighted the need to expand Som plantations to ensure adequate food resources for Muga silkworm rearing and to enhance the productivity and livelihood opportunities of farmers engaged in Muga sericulture. He also interacted with a few local farmers on the occasion.
The plantation drive under Mission Senehjori is expected to contribute towards enhancing the availability of Som plants, supporting the livelihoods of Muga farmers and strengthening the production base of Assam’s globally renowned Muga silk.
Raju Mesh, MLA, Boko-Chaygaon LAC; Oinam Sarankumar Singh, Secretary, Handloom, Textiles and Sericulture; Vijaylakshmi Barua, Secretary to the Govt. of Assam, Handloom, Textiles and Sericulture Department; Dr. Syed Tahirul Rahman, Joint Secretary, HT&S Department; nd other senior officials attended the programme.
Minister Biswajit Daimary Inaugurates Muga Food Plantation under Mission Senehjori in Assam’s Kamrup district
