The Government of India has launched Mission Muga Silk Senehjori, a Rs 411-crore initiative aimed at strengthening Assam’s Muga silk value chain and enhancing the livelihoods of more than 2.5 lakh stakeholders engaged in the sector.

The three-year programme, to be implemented between 2026 and 2028, was launched virtually by Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Jyotiraditya Scindia in the presence of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Minister of State for Textiles Pabitra Margherita and Minister of State for DoNER Sukanta Majumdar.

Positioned as a comprehensive value-chain development initiative, the mission seeks to improve productivity, quality, processing infrastructure and market access for Muga silk, while enhancing its competitiveness in domestic and international markets.

Scindia described the project as a strategic effort to transform Assam’s iconic “golden thread” industry, with a focus on moving the sector from raw material production to higher-value products and exports.

The initiative brings together 11 stakeholders, including the Ministry of DoNER, Ministry of Textiles, Government of Assam, Ministry of Cooperation, APEDA, ICAR, DRDO and industry representatives.

As part of the project, five modern reeling units will be established in Jorhat, Sivasagar, Sualkuchi, Majuli and Lakhimpur. A dedicated Muga spun silk unit will also be set up in Dhemaji to strengthen processing and value-addition capabilities.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the mission would help unlock the economic potential of Assam’s Muga silk sector while preserving an industry that remains deeply connected to the state’s cultural heritage. He added that the initiative would complement the benefits derived from Muga silk’s Geographical Indication (GI) status by improving both production volumes and quality standards.

The mission forms part of the Centre’s broader Ashtalakshmi development strategy for the Northeast, under which Assam has been identified as the region’s flagship state for Muga silk development.

Industry stakeholders expect the programme to strengthen the entire Muga silk ecosystem, from cocoon production and rearing to processing, value addition and market expansion, creating new opportunities for rural entrepreneurship and export growth.