Mizoram To Be The National Leader In Muga Silk Production – UM Giriraj Singh Pitches Plan.

Aizawl; May 2026: Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh has pitched an ambitious plan to position Mizoram as a national leader in Muga silk production, while on a 02 days visit to the State. Giriraj Singh has visited the Sericulture Training Institute (STI) at Aizawl’s Zemabawk area and inspected the silk reeling factory.

Addressing farmers and weavers at a function held at STI yesterday (04th May), Singh said his visit aimed at forging a deeper tie with farmers, not merely delivering official messages. He highlighted Mizoram’s unique position as the only State in the Northeast that produces all four major silk varieties, namely Muga, Eri, Mulberry and Tasar.

Singh announced that efforts are under way to transform the State into a leader in Muga silk production, and in the process, under the Silk Samagra 2.0 scheme, a significant financial package has been allocated to the State. According to officials, Rs. 59.74 crore has been allocated to Mizoram under the Silk Samagra 2.0 scheme from FY: 2021-22 to January 2026 to improve silk production. UM Singh have also proposed developing cluster-based farming, citing that he wanted four districts – Lunglei, Champhai, Saitual and Siaha, to be designated as Muga-producing districts, while he encouraged other districts to focus on different silk varieties.

Giriraj Singh has further asserted that the Central Silk Board would extend support to cluster-based initiatives to accelerate farmers’ progress. The Union minister said Mizoram’s climate and soil condition is highly suitable for sericulture and expressed satisfaction over the sector’s recent growth rate of around 5.5% to 06% annually. According to him, over 6,000 farmers and nearly 19,000 people across all the 11 districts of the State depend on sericulture as their primary source of livelihood.

While calling for structured competition among farmers, introduction of performance benchmarks and incentives for top performers for farmers’ progress, the Union Minister has also indicated plans to link local weavers with institutions like the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) to enhance design, branding and market access.

State’s Sericulture Minister Lalthansanga, who accompanied the Union minister, acknowledged the benefits of central schemes and stressed the urgent need for infrastructure development in the sericulture sector. He also sought continued assistance from the Centre. Lalthansanga pointed out that a processing unit has already been set up under Silk Samagra 2.0, and that cocoons produced in Mizoram were being marketed outside the State. He also noted that sericulture has been a key focus area under the State’s flagship programme Bana Kaih.

Team Maverick.