Aizawl, May 4: Union Minister of Textiles Giriraj Singh commenced his first official visit to Mizoram on Sunday, where he was received at Lengpui Airport by Chief Minister Shri Lalduhoma and Sericulture Minister Lalthansanga.

During his two-day programme, the Union Minister held discussions with the Chief Minister and chaired a meeting at Lok Bhavan’s Mini Conference Hall, attended by senior officials from the Sericulture, Cooperation, Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Departments, the Eastern Zone Weavers’ Service Centre, and the Office of the Development Commissioner for Handlooms.

In his address, Singh underscored Mizoram’s potential in sericulture and fibre-based industries, stressing the need for small, community-level machinery to improve fibre extraction and cocoon processing. He advocated decentralised infrastructure to boost production and empower rural communities, while recommending a buy-back model for fibre projects. He also urged pilot projects for new-age fibres such as Ramie and linen to diversify cultivation.

On handloom development, the Minister suggested supporting select families with multiple looms to create micro-models that could inspire wider adoption. He further called for buyer-seller meets across the Northeast to enhance design integration and market visibility, while encouraging youth and women’s participation in branding and outreach of silk products.

Officials presented a detailed roadmap titled “Mizoram’s Sericulture Potential at a Glance” outlining strategies up to 2047. The Union Minister also inspected Zozia Silk & Handloom in Tlangnuam and Lapar in Kulikawn, interacting with workers and acknowledging their contributions to traditional weaving and tailoring.

Singh was accompanied by senior officials including Siva Kumar, Member Secretary CSB-CMERTI; Vrunda Manohar Desai, Textile Commissioner; Dr. Karthik Neog, Director CSB-CMERTI; and S. Bandyopadhyay, Director Eastern Zone Weavers’ Service Centre.