By our Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, Oct 7: To increase the production of muga in Assam and to make the muga growers as well as the people of the State aware of the potential of large-scale muga production, the State Sericulture Department has decided to observe ‘Muga Week’ from next year.

Talking to The Sentinel, State Handloom, Textile and Sericulture Minister Pranati Phukan said, “There is a need to create mass awareness on the production of muga in the State. The muga growers should be made aware of different government schemes available for muga production and of the huge demand of clothes made of muga silk outside the State or even the country. Without creating mass awareness, it would not be possible to tell the muga growers to increase their production.”

Phukan said the Sericulture Department would also give award to one best muga grower of the State every year.

According to official records, “There are 65 government-owned seed farms/grainages for muga production in Assam. There are 276 government-owned village grazing reserves/Eri concentrated centres/composite mulberry gardens in the State. There are 65 government-owned reeling/spinning units for muga production in the State. Around 2,48,711 families are involved in muga production in Assam.”

The Minister further stated that muga production would likely to be increased in the State in the 11th-12th Five Year Plan.