Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, alongside the Chief Minister of Assam, on Tuesday unveiled Mission “Senehjori” Assam Muga Silk USP, a cluster-based initiative designed to transform Assam’s rare Muga silk into a globally competitive luxury textile ecosystem. The programme, anchored by MDoNER in collaboration with the Government of Assam, the Central Silk Board, the Ministry of Textiles and other agencies, aims to strengthen every link of the Muga silk value chain, from host-plant cultivation and silkworm seed production to reeling, weaving, branding, export promotion, digital traceability and tourism.
Muga silk, the world’s only naturally golden silk and India’s first GI-tagged silk, sustains nearly 2.6 lakh rearer and weaver families in Assam. Despite its global recognition, the sector remains under-monetised. Mission Senehjori seeks to bridge this gap by creating a premium, traceable and export-oriented economy. Covering districts such as Jorhat, Sivasagar, Lakhimpur, Dhemaji, Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, Majuli and Sualkuchi, the initiative will strengthen host plant ecology, establish modern reeling infrastructure, promote Farmer Producer Organisations, create Common Facility Centres, enforce GI authentication and build global market access under the unified brand identity “Senehjori.”
Scindia emphasised that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the government is committed to ensuring that the unique strengths of the North Eastern Region gain global recognition while generating sustainable livelihoods. He described Muga silk as not merely a textile but a cultural and civilisational heritage asset of India. With an estimated investment of ₹396–411 crore over three years, including ₹136–151 crore from MDoNER, the Mission aims to create a globally recognised luxury ecosystem, enhance value realisation for producers and position Assam as a leading destination for silk-based cultural tourism.
The Minister recalled that the inspiration for Mission Senehjori emerged during the Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav, where Assam’s Muga silk garments were showcased. He noted that Assam accounts for 90 percent of global Muga silk production, yet producers earn only ₹18,000–21,000 annually. Mission Senehjori, he said, is designed to decisively transform this reality by ensuring that the premium value of Muga silk reaches rearers and weavers. “My commitment to you is that we will contribute and ensure that every part of the value chain comes together to take Muga silk from the cocoons of Assam to the world stage,” he stated.
The Chief Minister of Assam hailed the initiative as a landmark for the state’s traditional silk sector, affirming that it would provide new opportunities for farmers, rearers, weavers, artisans and entrepreneurs while preserving Assam’s heritage. Minister of State Dr. Sukanta Majumdar described the Mission as transformative, while MDoNER Secretary Sanjay Jaju outlined its implementation framework, highlighting Assam’s unique advantage as the sole producer of authentic Muga silk.
By 2028, the Mission aims to establish five modernised reeling units and a Muga Spun Mill, create 30 FPOs and over 1,180 Farmer Interest Groups, regenerate 5,000 hectares of host plants, authenticate over 80 percent of traded Muga silk through GI systems, introduce digital traceability for more than 8,000 households and expand exports to over 2,000 kilograms annually. It also seeks to promote cultural tourism through a Muga Silk Trail, a Silk Tourism Park and annual Muga Utsav festivals.
The launch event was attended by Minister of State for Textiles Pabitra Margherita, senior officials, representatives of producer organisations, weavers, entrepreneurs and stakeholders across the Muga silk value chain.
