Minister of Textiles inaugurates two Silk Projects in Assam

The Minister of Textiles, Smriti Irani inaugurated two silk projects Soil to Silk Project and Eri Spun Silk Mill in Assam.

Soil to Silk Project

• The project envisages new Eri plantation on 100 hectares and will facilitate post cocoon activities for an on-farm sector like plantation, spinning and reeling.
• It would generate direct employment for 15,600 people during the project period and 7,000 persons per year when the project attains full capacity.
• Under the project, the Central Silk board will also work towards rejuvenation of 600 hectares of existing Eri farms and provide handlooms and work sheds to 2500 weavers which in turn will provide important linkages for self-sustenance of the production activities.

Eri Spun Silk Mill

• The Eri Spun Silk Mill project will be implemented directly by the state government in co-coordination with the Central Silk Board.
• The expected turnover from this project during the first year is around Rs 10 crore with a net profit of Rs three crore.
• The project would generate direct employment for 107 persons throughout the year and will provide indirect employment to around another 1,500 Eri farmers through backward linkage and to around 730 weavers through the forward linkage.

On the occasion, the Minister also mentioned the Eri Silk Development Project, which has been dedicated for sustainable livelihood for women of Bodoland Territorial Council through tapioca plantation at Kokrajhar.
The Eri Silk Development Project aims to utilize tapioca plantation for dual purpose i.e. the tuber for food and the leaves for Eri silkworm. The project aids the tribal families below poverty line to utilise the available natural resources to the best advantage of the Eri silkworm rearing and weaving sector.

Month: Current Affairs - February, 2019