NEW DELHI | The Central Silk Board, in collaboration with the Meghalaya State Sericulture Department, conducted an awareness programme on scientific host plant management in East Garo Hills to promote sustainable Muga sericulture and improve cocoon productivity through modern cultivation practices.

The programme, organised on August 5 at Somango village, was held under the Mera Resham Mera Abhimaan (MRMA) 2.0 initiative by the Central Silk Board’s Silkworm Seed Production Centre (Muga), Kaliabari, in coordination with the District Sericulture Office (DSO), Williamnagar.

The initiative aimed to equip Muga farmers with scientific methods for host plant management, including plantation establishment, pruning, nutrient management, pest and disease control, and other improved cultivation practices to enhance leaf quality and cocoon yield.

Addressing the gathering, Dharavath Saicharan, Scientist-B at the Central Silk Board’s Silkworm Seed Production Centre (Muga), highlighted the importance of adopting scientific cultivation techniques to improve productivity and ensure the long-term sustainability of Muga sericulture.

He encouraged farmers to adopt the latest recommended technologies to increase cocoon production, improve quality and strengthen their livelihoods through more efficient farming practices.

Charnenko Sangma, Manager of the District Sericulture Office, Williamnagar, reaffirmed the Meghalaya Sericulture Department’s commitment to supporting farmers and expanding Muga cultivation across East Garo Hills through technical assistance and extension services.

During the programme, Nameswar Das, Senior Technical Assistant with the Central Silk Board, provided practical demonstrations on scientific field management, while sericulture demonstrators from different parts of the district interacted with farmers on various aspects of host plant cultivation and maintenance.

The awareness programme witnessed enthusiastic participation from a large number of Muga farmers and beneficiaries, who engaged with technical experts during an interactive session. Farmers’ queries on cultivation practices, disease management and productivity enhancement were addressed in detail.

Officials said the outreach programme forms part of the broader MRMA 2.0 initiative aimed at strengthening India’s Muga silk sector through scientific interventions, capacity building and farmer-centric extension activities, while encouraging sustainable sericulture practices across the Northeast.