HT Bureau
DIPHU, Dec. 04: A workshop on skill upgradation on rearing Eri silkworms and spinning of Eri silk under was organized at the Farmer’s Growth Centre in Diphu on Monday, where more than 150 local women weavers from Diphu, Manja and Dhansiri areas participated.
The workshop was organized by the Karbi Anglong district administration with an aim to upgrade the capacity and skill of the silkworm rearers and spinners of the district to produce quality Eri silk using natural dye to compete in the international market.
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The district administration has brought in trainer Satish Chaudhury, of Polokbari, Barpeta. Chaudhury himself spins eri silk threads on his eri silk spinner called ‘Saraswati’, which he invented himself. He also produces cloth from Eri silk. He also taught the participants to spin threads from eri silkworm cocoons on his spinning machine.
Inaugurating the training workshop MLA for Diphu (ST) LAC and chairman of the Assam Hills Small Industries Development Corporation (AHSIDC), Bidyasing Engleng said, “Eri-silkworms has been traditionally in use among the indigenous communities here. There has been rearing of Eri-silkworms and the cocoons are being spun into threads for making of garments. The training conducted today will help women to gain better knowledge in rearing and spinning of Eri- silk.”
The MLA also appreciated the initiative taken by the district administration in organising such workshops to help weavers to have better knowledge on spinning of Eri-silk using machines. He urged the local weavers to maintain quality in their product to reach the international level.
Executive Member (EM), Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) for handloom and textiles, Madhuram Lekthe said the local weavers produce traditional garments, but are unable to exploit the market potential. On the other hand, the so-called traditional garments coming from outside the district miss the original texture and pattern, but these products have demand in the market.
Lekthe said that the government has already banned the entry of ready traditional garments from outside. Those shops violating government orders and still selling the products from outside will face stern action.
Encouraging local weavers to be entrepreneurs, the EM said that under Swanirbhar Nari Atmanirbhar scheme in Assam, the state government is helping those economically disadvantaged women to get financial support to start their own business. Under this scheme the government is also purchasing the finished products from the weavers. Now weavers don’t need to worry about the market to sell products as the government is purchasing them.
He urged the weavers to maintain the original texture and pattern, while producing their products and maintain quality.
District commissioner (DC), Madhumita Bhagawati said Karbi Anglong has eri-silkworms rearers and spinners. The workshop will help weavers to upgrade their skills in eri silkworm rearing and spinning of Eri silk applying modern methods.
