Sericulture, the cultivation of silkworms for silk production, holds significant importance in the economy of the Mising Autonomous Council (MAC). The Mising community has a rich tradition of sericulture, with many households engaging in silk farming as a means of livelihood. Mulberry cultivation, silkworm rearing and silk processing are integral parts of the sericulture industry in the MAC. Silk production not only provides a source of income for local farmers but also contributes to the preservation of traditional skills and cultural heritage.

The MAC area, particularly Dhemaji and the adjoining Lakhimpur district, is among the traditional growers of wild silk in Assam — both Muga and Endi. Lakhimpur is recognised as one of the major silk-producing districts of the state, blessed with congenial climatic conditions and suitable soil that host the food plants of all three principal silk varieties reared in Assam: Muga (Antheraea assamensis), the prized golden silk unique to the Brahmaputra valley; Eri or Endi (Samia ricini), a warm, durable silk obtained from worms fed on castor and tapioca leaves; and Mulberry silk (Bombyx mori).

Sericulture and the Mising Way of Life

Silk has been woven into the cultural fabric of the Mising people for generations. The traditional use of endi (eri) yarn, obtained from worms fed on the leaves of castor-oil plants, was once common among the Mising, who are skilled weavers. Today, Mising weavers skilfully use Muga and Pat (mulberry) silk, along with eri and cotton, to create their traditional garments — the Mirizen, ri:bi, gaseng, Gero and erkok shawls — preserving age-old designs while catering to modern markets. Sericulture thus supports both the household economy and the living heritage of Mising handloom.

Value Chain and Economic Significance

Sericulture is an agro-based, labour-intensive cottage industry that offers substantial employment and income-generation opportunities to rural families, women's groups and youth. The value chain extends from the planting of host food plants — som, soalu and arjun trees for Muga; castor and tapioca for Eri; mulberry for Bombyx mori — through silkworm seed and rearing, to cocoon production, reeling, spinning, dyeing, weaving and marketing of finished silk fabrics. Muga silk, renowned for its natural golden sheen, and eri silk, valued for its warmth and texture, command strong demand in the textile and handloom markets of Assam and beyond.

Schemes and Initiatives of the Department

The MAC supports sericulture through training programmes, access to quality silkworm eggs and host-plant leaves, and infrastructure development for silk reeling and weaving. The department works under its Annual Plan of Operation (AOP) and in convergence with the Government of Assam and the Central Silk Board, including the Central Muga Eri Research & Training Institute (CMER&TI) at Lahdoigarh, Jorhat. Key initiatives include:

• Distribution of quality disease-free layings (silkworm seed) of Muga, Eri and Mulberry to rearers.
• Plantation and maintenance of host food plants such as som, soalu, arjun, castor and mulberry on farmers' lands.
• Training and demonstration of scientific rearing, cocoon processing, reeling and spinning techniques.
• Support for establishment of grainages, seed distribution centres and weaving-reeling facilities.
• Promotion of farmer groups, self-help groups (SHGs) and cooperatives in the sericulture value chain.
• Market linkage support for cocoons and silk products, including participation in exhibitions and the Mising Handloom Expo.

Way Forward

By promoting sericulture, the MAC aims to enhance rural incomes, create employment opportunities and sustain the socio-economic well-being of the Mising community while preserving their cultural identity. Given the region's natural advantage in Muga and Eri production, there is immense scope to expand area under host plants, improve seed quality, upgrade processing infrastructure and link silk growers directly to weavers and markets. The department continues to work towards making sericulture a reliable and remunerative rural enterprise that keeps the golden tradition of Assam's silk alive in the Mising area.