New Delhi, June 2 (IANS) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday said that the ambitious ‘Mission Senehjori’ initiative launched jointly with the Centre would help strengthen Assam’s traditional Muga silk sector and improve the livelihoods of farmers and weavers associated with the craft.

In a post on X after meeting Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, Sarma said the Ministry of Development of the North Eastern Region (DoNER) has been actively taking initiatives to enhance economic opportunities for people of the Northeast.

The Chief Minister said ‘Mission Senehjori’, a project worth more than Rs 400 crore, has been launched with a focus on protecting and promoting Assam’s iconic Muga silk industry. He noted that the mission has been designed to safeguard the interests of the people behind the centuries-old craft, particularly farmers and traditional weavers.

According to Sarma, the initiative seeks to build a stronger ecosystem for Muga silk production and marketing by organising artisans and farmers into structured groups. He said the project envisages the formation of 1,180 Farmer Interest Groups (FIGs) and 30 Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) across Assam.

The Chief Minister further stated that the mission would empower weavers and improve market access by introducing digital traceability systems and strict Geographical Indication (GI) authentication measures. These mechanisms, he said, would enable global buyers to verify the authenticity of Assam’s Muga silk products and handicrafts.

Sarma added that the initiative reflects the collaborative efforts of the State and Central governments under the “double engine government” model led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said the government aims to take Assam’s traditional identity and indigenous craftsmanship to international markets, including the Gulf region, Japan, and other global destinations.

The Chief Minister also expressed appreciation for Scindia’s continued engagement with the Northeast and said such initiatives would contribute significantly towards preserving Assam’s heritage industries while creating sustainable livelihoods for artisans and rural communities.

–IANS

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