Lok Sabha Question No. 528 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-03
Subject: Muga Silk
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: Shri Gaurav Gogoi

## MUGA SILK

## 528. SHRI GAURAV GOGOI:

Will the Minister of TEXTILES वस्त्र मंत्री be pleased to state :

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  noted  the  decline  of  Assam's  Muga  silk  sector  due  to  climate variability, unseasonal rainfall, humidity shifts, and pesticide contamination from nearby tea gardens and farms;
- (b)  the  decline  in  muga  silk  production,  the  number  of  active  rearers  and  weavers  and  domestic  and export figures during the last five years;
- (c)  the  measures  taken  by  the  Government  to  address  climate  and  pesticide  related  threats  to  Muga silkworm survival and the regenerative capacity of host plants; and
- (d)  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  strengthen  market  access,  ensure  livelihood  support  for sericulture farmers and weavers, and promote Muga silk as a GI-tagged product?

उत्तर

ANSWER

## वस्त्र राज्  य मंत्री ( श्री पबित्र मार्घेररटा )

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES (SHRI PABITRA MARGHERITA)

(a) to (c): Due to climate variability and other environmental reasons, a marginal decline in Muga silk production in Assam has been recorded during the last two years as compared to the preceding years. The details of Muga silk production and number of active rearers during the last five years are as under:

| Year    | Muga silk production (MT)   | Muga silk production (MT)   | Mugarearers (farmers) in Assam   |
|---------|-----------------------------|-----------------------------|----------------------------------|
| Year    | Country                     | Assam                       | Mugarearers (farmers) in Assam   |
| 2020-21 | 239                         | 198                         | 29,231                           |
| 2021-22 | 255                         | 211                         | 31,653                           |
| 2022-23 | 261                         | 211                         | 32,353                           |
| 2023-24 | 252                         | 203                         | 32,353                           |
| 2024-25 | 232                         | 181                         | 32,353                           |

Source: Assam State Sericulture Department

As per the All India Handloom Census 2019-20, there are 1,10,951 silk weaving households in Assam, out of which 5,401 households are engaged in Muga silk weaving. The export data on silk products for the last five years is as below:

| EXPORT FIGURES (SILK AND SILK GOODS)   | EXPORT FIGURES (SILK AND SILK GOODS)   | EXPORT FIGURES (SILK AND SILK GOODS)   | EXPORT FIGURES (SILK AND SILK GOODS)   | EXPORT FIGURES (SILK AND SILK GOODS)   | EXPORT FIGURES (SILK AND SILK GOODS)   | (Rs. In Crore)                  |
|----------------------------------------|----------------------------------------|----------------------------------------|----------------------------------------|----------------------------------------|----------------------------------------|---------------------------------|
| Items                                  | 2020-21                                | 2021-22                                | 2022-23                                | 2023-24                                | 2024-25                                | 2025-26 (Apr-Sep) (Provisional) |
| Cocoons                                | 0.01                                   | 6.94                                   | -                                      | -                                      | -                                      | -                               |
| Raw Silk                               | 1.43                                   | 11.27                                  | 1.79                                   | 15.45                                  | 25.42                                  | 1.52                            |

| Silk Yarn          | 27.93   | 34.41   | 36.95   | 34.69                                    | 42.17   | 22.26    |
|--------------------|---------|---------|---------|------------------------------------------|---------|----------|
| Fabrics &Made-ups  | 729.50  | 837.41  |         | 973.491,119.131,443.98                   |         | 956.09   |
| Readymade Garments | 449.56  | 671.13  | 489.61  | 443.79                                   | 486.31  | 340.27   |
| Silk Carpet        | 107.56  | 79.12   | 92.34   | 96.84                                    | 99.21   | 216.08   |
| Silk waste         | 150.61  | 208.67  | 179.19  | 317.66                                   | 264.66  | 172.03   |
| TOTAL              |         |         |         | 1,466.601,848.961,773.382,027.562,361.75 |         | 1,708.25 |

Source:

DGCI&S, Kolkata

Export of Silk and Silk based products has increased by 61% between 2020-21 and 2024-25.

To  mitigate  the  adverse  impacts  of  climate  variability  and  other  environmental  factors on  Muga silkworm  survival  and  the  regenerative  capacity  of  host  plants,  the  following  measures  have  been undertaken:

- i. Research has been conducted on the physiological implications of climate change on the Muga silkworm and its primary host plant, and adaptive practices have been recommended.
- ii. Muga-producing  States  and  farmers  have  been  advised  to  reschedule  seed  crops  based  on meteorological forecasts to reduce climate-related risks.
- iii. Awareness  programmes  are  conducted  in  coordination  with  the  Assam  State  Sericulture Department to promote eco-friendly practices.
4. (d): To strengthen market access, ensure livelihood support for sericulture farmers and weavers, and promote  Muga  silk  as  a  GI-tagged  product,  the  following  measures  have  been  taken  up  across  the country, including Assam:
- i. The National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP) and Raw Material Supply Scheme (RMSS) are implemented, providing support for raw materials, upgraded looms and accessories, solar lighting units, worksheds, product diversification, design innovation, technical and common infrastructure, branding through India Handloom Brand (IHB), Handloom Mark (HLM) and GI, e-commerce, domestic and export marketing, concessional loans under the Weavers' MUDRA Scheme, and social security measures.
- ii. Under  NHDP,  support  is  provided  for  GI  registration  and  protection  of  handloom  products, including Muga silk, covering expenses related to registration, training and enforcement.
- iii. Under  the  Silk  Samagra-2  scheme,  Central  assistance  of  ₹89.34  crore  has  been  provided  to Assam since 2021-22, benefiting 4,862 beneficiaries.
- iv. Under  NERTPS,  11  sericulture  projects  have  been  completed  in  Assam  with  Government  of India assistance of ₹255.80 crore, covering interventions in silkworm rearing, seed production, reeling, weaving and allied activities.
- v. The Government of Assam has established five ReshamHaats at Loharghat, Titabar, Dhakuakhana, Demow and Balichang under the Assam Agribusiness and Rural Transformation Project supported by the World Bank.
- vi. Indian silks, including Assam Muga silk, are promoted globally through Silk Mark, Silk Expos and awareness campaigns are conducted nationwide to enhance market access and highlight the heritage and authenticity of Muga silk.

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