HT Bureau
DIPHU, Nov 13: A three-day skill development training programme on Eri spinning and Eri yarn knitting, organised by the Assistant Director of Sericulture, Karbi Anglong, is underway at Reshom Bhavan’s conference hall.
The training began on November 12 and will conclude on November 14.
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This programme aims to equip local women with skills in producing Eri yarns using spinning machines, including the cocoon-baking processes required for spinning yarns.
According to Longki Timung, the in-charge Assistant Director of Sericulture, 40 women trainees are participating in the programme.
Inaugurating the event, the executive member (EM) of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), Lunsing Teron, who oversees Sericulture and Irrigation, stated that the programme’s main purpose is to train participants in advanced Eri spinning techniques to boost productivity and quality in the sector.
The EM informed the trainees that they would receive certificates upon completing the training.
“The certificate serves as proof of participation in the training. It’s also essential when applying for bank loans to support silkworm rearing or to establish Eri spinning centres,” Teron explained.
Highlighting the traditional link between the Karbi community and silkworm rearing, the EM said, “Our women have long spun yarns from silkworm cocoons using traditional methods to make garments. However, times have changed, and we must adopt modern methods and embrace a competitive approach.”
He also mentioned Serdihun, a legendary figure in Karbi culture, as the first to introduce various patterns on clothes.
The EM further informed the trainees that the Sericulture department now purchases silkworm cocoons directly from farmers at Rs 1,000 per kg, providing an alternative to selling in the open market.
Timung emphasised the need to first establish plantations of silkworm food plants such as Kesseru, Mulberry, and Som to support silkworm rearing.
During the training, resource person Bggan Kemprai from Haflong demonstrated Eri spinning using a machine and cocoon-baking techniques. Additional director of Sericulture Rongbong Rongphar and superintendent of Sericulture Gobinda Kemprai also attended the inaugural function.
