CSB encourages muga rearing for Sustainable employment during Covid Pandemic

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMay 19, 2021

The Central Silk Board, Ministry of Textiles, Govt. Of India, MESSO P-4 Unit Mendipathar, North Garo Hills through a press communiqué has expressed its intention of providing sustainable employment for the people of the area by encouraging them to opt for muga silkworm rearing during the Covid pandemic.

Amidst the pandemic situation where people especially the reverse migrants who are rendered jobless; muga culture could create employment generation and thereby provide them a new source of income. With this hope, the Central Silk Board has come forward to minimize the severe economic condition of the poor migrants, the communiqué stated.

Mahasankar Majumdar, Scientist B & OIC, CSB, MESSO P-4 Unit Mendipathar, informed that Sericulture and Weaving in Meghalaya are the two most important cottage based, eco-friendly industries in the rural areas and these twin industries portray the cultural ethos and rich heritage of the people of the State but in the absence of a textile industry, Sericulture and Weaving can play an important role for the production of Silk fabrics and hand woven fabrics of ethnic designs. As per Govt. of Meghalaya database till date around 15,900 families are involved in handloom activities and 16,000 families in Sericulture farming.

He also highlighted the activities undertaken by MESSO during the pandemic with a particular emphasis on scientific muga cultivation. Maintaining basic stock, multiplication, seed production, purchase of seeds cocoons through DBT from seed rearers, distribution of Muga seeds, training and extension activities were the other activities of MESSO.

The communiqué further stated that owing to the eco-climatic condition of the region,  muga cultivation can provide an opportunity to earn a sustainable amount in 30-35 days from one acre of land which is otherwise not possible from any other agricultural sectors. With scientific guidance from MESSO, it therefore encourages migrant labours in search of new job to try their hands on muga rearing.

MESSO has been encouraging ‘Atmanirbhar’ to produce own Muga Seed through Capacity Building training. Also in tune with “vocal for Local” a slogan coined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, MESSO is encouraging muga farmers to produce local muga raw silk through scientific methods.

On timely production and distribution of quality muga dfl (muga egg), Mr Prabhat Borpuzari, Scientist–D & Head , CSB, MESSO, Guwahati said that “with concerted efforts of our dedicated Scientists, Officers and Staffs, while maintaining all the SOP of COVID-19, there has been a success in creating demands for muga seeds during the pandemic.”

Simultaneously for the interest of all muga rearers, Do’s and Don’ts on muga cultivation has been shared as below:

 Meghalaya being Muga seed zone, seed crop rearing should start in small patches through a group of selected progressive farmers during 1st week of March and 3rd week of August. Large scale rearing should be done in favourable seasons viz Jethua (May- June) and Kotia (October-November).

Dos’ and Don’ts during rearing to Cocoon harvesting:-

Select only systematic plantation. Plantations should be pruned 4-5 months ahead of brushing schedule.

Apply 1 cft FYM and 40:60:15 N:P:K twice in a year.

Disinfect the brushing plot with Slaked Lime and Bleaching powder mixture (9:1).

More effort for watering in long dry spell and other cultural operations should be adopted. 

Cover the brushing plot with nylon net (10.5 x 7.5 x 4.0 m.)

Brush the worms indoor during inclement weather condition.

Allow the worms to spin cocoons on mountage in semi dark, well aerated rat proof, ant proof room for better cocooning.

Harvest cocoons only after 8-10 days of spinning.

Sort out flimsy, uzi infested, melted cocoon from harvested lot.

Do not remove the under growth of rearing site completely to conserve moisture among the rearing plants.

Do not brush excess worms in a tree.

Do not transfer the worms during moult.

Do not allow dead /diseased weak worms at food plants.

Do not prepare ‘Jali’  with wet leaves as it may attract fungus infection.

Do not mount healthy ripe worms along with uzi infested worms.

Do not disturb the worms while spinning.