In Assam's Nalbari district, a transformative initiative is empowering rural women by promoting the rearing of Eri silkworms, leading to sustainable livelihoods and economic growth.
Akhari Bodo, a resident of Nowra village, has experienced this change firsthand. Once limited to rearing Eri worms in her kitchen with minimal commercial success, Akhari now operates in a proper shed, significantly increasing her earnings.
"I was hardly harvesting two to three crops per year due to inadequate facilities. Now, I can rear five to six crops annually, earning Rs 8,000-10,000 per crop," she stated, showcasing the positive impact of the initiative.
The program, supported by various welfare schemes including the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), aims to create an infrastructure that not only benefits women but also bolsters the local economy.
District Commissioner Varnali Deka emphasized that this multifaceted initiative focuses on generating sustainable livelihood models, enabling women to pursue commercial activities while managing their household responsibilities.
"Nalbari district has small land holdings and ranks third in population density in the state. We recognized the need for suitable livelihood options, particularly as there exists a robust ecosystem of women’s self-help groups under the Rural Livelihood Mission," Deka explained.
To support the production of feeder leaves essential for Eri silkworms, the administration undertook extensive plantations of Era, Keseru, and Tapioca on the banks of 78 newly constructed Amrit Sarovars.
This initiative not only supports Eri rearing but also contributes to environmental greening, with upkeep managed by cluster-level groups that include beneficiaries.
Through MGNREGA, specially designed Eri sheds have been provided to approximately 200-250 self-help group (SHG) women across each of the seven development blocks in Nalbari.
These huts create an optimal environment for silkworms, ensuring efficient use of space and resources.
Within just six months of its implementation, the initiative has reached thousands of families, providing improved livelihood options with minimal incremental effort.
The district has also achieved self-sufficiency in Eri seed production, previously reliant on supplies from Kamrup and the Central Silk Board under the Ministry of Sericulture.
"Now, not only are we meeting local demand, but we are also supplying Eri seeds to Rangia, Bajali, and textile mills in Panikhaiti and Guwahati," Deka noted, highlighting the program's success.
The Sericulture Department in Nalbari has exported 4,000 kg of cocoon to mills in Coimbatore, Bengaluru, and Malda. With the assistance of the department, rearers are currently stocking and retailing cocoons at Rs 900-950 per kg, with plans for further exports.
Under the district administration's initiative, a spinning unit has been established in a repurposed school building within the Barkhetri development block, equipped with 40 machines.
This facility allows women to spin 180 to 200 grams of yarn daily, a significant improvement compared to traditional methods that yields only 60 to 70 grams of coarser yarn at a lower price.
Market linkages for the rearers are also being developed through local expos such as 'Nalbeira Haat,' while partnerships with e-commerce platforms like 'My Store' are helping Eri products reach a wider audience.
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