Mizoram sends muga silkworm seed to Assam, Meghalaya

Aizawl, Sep 30 (PTI): Mizoram has begun supplying muga silkworm seed to Assam and Meghalaya, officials said on Wednesday.
Sericulture Director Lalrinawma on Wednesday flagged off the consignment, comprising around 27,000 Muga silkworms, for dispatch to Narayanpur in Assam and Rompara in Meghalaya, where the seed will be used for further multiplication, they said.
According to officials, muga silkworm rearing is difficult during summer in the hot plains, while Mizoram’s climatic conditions allow successful rearing during the season.
They said the Central Silk Board has muga silkworm seed production units at 14 locations across the northeastern states, with Mizoram getting its first such unit this year.
The P3 Muga unit at Thenzawl in Serchhip district became operational this year following initiatives by Chief Minister Lalduhoma and Sericulture Minister Lalthansanga, they said.
The Thenzawl P3 muga farm also recorded successful rearing in August this year.
With demand for muga silkworm seed high in the plains, the Central Silk Board’s Mizoram office has been producing seed and supplying part of it to Assam and Meghalaya, officials said.
They said that the unit is expected to significantly benefit muga silkworm rearers in Mizoram while strengthening the state’s role in muga silk production.