Assam targets global luxury market with high-value spun silk initiative
Assam is aggressively restructuring its indigenous textile economy by investing Rs 411 crore into Mission Senehjori, a framework designed to convert up to 40 per cent of the state’s wasted Muga silk cocoons into premium spun yarn. For long, the state's sericulture sector suffered from post-harvest losses, with raw material discard capping producer earnings despite global demand for the rare, Geographical Indication-tagged golden fiber. The multi-year program addresses structural gaps by establishing modern reeling units and a dedicated Muga spun mill in Dhemaji, bridging the disconnect between raw farming and high-end global apparel manufacturing.
Experts point out, the intervention arrives at a critical juncture for regional textile clusters. Moving away from traditional raw material export toward advanced spinning and yarn processing allows local artisans to capture higher margins, states a senior official from the Central Silk Board. By organizing rearers into 30 new Farmer Producer Organizations and introducing digital traceability mechanisms, the initiative aims to boost annual household incomes, which have stagnated between Rs 18,000 and Rs 21,000. As global luxury brands demand verified, sustainable provenance, Assam’s transition toward certified spun yarn production positions its indigenous textiles for lucrative entry into high-end international fashion corridors.
Mission Senehjori is a comprehensive development program launched by the Ministry of DoNER and the Assam government to overhaul the state's sericulture sector. Focusing primarily on Muga silk, the world's only naturally golden, GI-tagged fiber the initiative targets rural clusters across districts like Jorhat, Sivasagar, and Sualkuchi. Supported by a Rs 396 to Rs 411 crore financial outlay through 2028, the program seeks to upgrade processing infrastructure, enhance export competitiveness, and uplift over 2.5 lakh rural households, transitioning the traditional cottage industry into a globally competitive luxury textile ecosystem.