The Assam government has launched Mission Senehjori, a key initiative under Budget 2026, aimed at transforming Muga silk waste into high-value spun yarn. This programme seeks to significantly reduce wastage in the Muga silk sector while generating new employment opportunities across the state.

The mission addresses a critical challenge where nearly 40 per cent of Muga silk cocoons currently go unused due to a lack of adequate processing facilities, according to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. By converting this discarded material into commercially valuable yarn, Mission Senehjori is expected to boost the economic potential of Assam’s traditional silk industry, enhance incomes for thousands of families, and reinforce the state’s renowned Muga silk ecosystem.

What was announced

The Assam government formally unveiled Mission Senehjori as part of the State Budget 2026-27, presented by Finance Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah in the Legislative Assembly on July 10, 2026. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma further detailed the initiative on July 19, 2026, via a post on X, highlighting its core objective of converting Muga silk waste into high-value spun yarn.

Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Jyotiraditya Scindia virtually launched the comprehensive Mission Muga Silk ‘Senehjori’ on June 3, 2026. The launch event, held in New Delhi, saw the participation of Chief Minister Sarma, Minister of State for Textiles Pabitra Margherita, and Minister of State for DoNER Sukanta Majumdar. Minister Scindia described the initiative as a transformative step for Assam’s famed ‘golden thread,’ stating that the mission aims to “take Muga Silk from farm gate to foreign shore.”

The programme is a collaborative effort involving the Government of India, the Government of Assam, the Ministry of Development of the North Eastern Region, the Central Silk Board, and other central agencies. It is designed to strengthen the entire Muga silk value chain, encompassing everything from silkworm rearing and weaving to branding and international marketing.

Why it matters

Mission Senehjori holds significant importance for Assam’s economy and cultural heritage. Muga silk, often referred to as the “golden silk” of India, is unique to Assam and boasts a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, ensuring its authenticity and protecting it from counterfeiting. Assam accounts for nearly 90 to 95 per cent of India’s total Muga silk production, making it a global hub for this exquisite textile.

The Muga silk industry is a vital source of livelihood, supporting more than seven lakh households and providing direct employment to approximately 2.6 lakh families across about 10,500 villages in Assam. Women comprise over 70 per cent of the workforce in this employment-intensive sector, making the mission crucial for women’s economic empowerment and social status in rural areas.

By converting silk waste into high-value spun yarn, the mission is expected to enhance the income of farmers, reelers, and weavers, who often face challenges due to fluctuating prices and a lack of value addition. This initiative will also promote sustainable sericulture practices by improving resource utilisation and reducing environmental waste, aligning with broader goals of eco-friendly textile production.

Background

Muga silk has a rich history in Assam, dating back over a thousand years, with references found in ancient Assamese texts and royal chronicles. It flourished under the Ahom dynasty (1228–1826), where it was exclusively worn by royalty and aristocrats, symbolising wealth and status. The Ahom rulers provided patronage to Muga silk rearers and weavers, establishing it as an indispensable profession in many Assamese households.

Despite its historical significance and global recognition, the Muga silk industry has faced several challenges. These include declining forest areas for host plants like Som and Soalu trees, climate change affecting silkworm health, competition from synthetic fabrics, and a shortage of skilled weavers as younger generations seek alternative occupations. Moreover, a significant portion of Muga cocoons, estimated at nearly 40 per cent, has historically gone to waste due to the absence of modern processing infrastructure, leading to under-monetisation of the sector.

Past efforts to support the industry include the granting of a Geographical Indication (GI) tag to Muga silk in 2007 and a GI logo in 2014 to protect its trademark rights and authenticity. Various government initiatives have provided financial support, training programmes, and research and development to improve breeding techniques and disease-resistant silkworm strains. However, the need for a comprehensive, value-chain-focused approach to address wastage and enhance market access persisted.

Key details

Mission Senehjori is backed by an estimated investment of approximately ₹411 crore (US$ 44.22-45.89 million) over a period of three years, from 2026 to 2028. This investment includes a substantial contribution from the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER), amounting to ₹136-151 crore.

The mission outlines several key targets to be achieved by 2028:

  • Establishment of five modernised Muga silk processing units at strategic locations: Jorhat, Sivasagar, Sualkuchi, Majuli, and Lakhimpur.
  • Setting up a dedicated Muga spun silk unit at Dhemaji to further strengthen processing and value-addition capabilities.
  • Creation of 30 Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and more than 1,180 Farmer Interest Groups to organise and empower stakeholders.
  • Regeneration of 5,000 hectares of host plants, crucial for Muga silkworm rearing.
  • Achieving GI authentication for over 80 per cent of traded Muga silk, ensuring quality and preventing counterfeiting.
  • Implementation of digital traceability for more than 8,000 households involved in Muga silk production.

The initiative adopts a cluster-based approach, focusing on key Muga-producing districts such as Jorhat, Sivasagar, Lakhimpur, Dhemaji, Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, Majuli, and Sualkuchi. It aims to develop a premium, traceable, and export-oriented Muga silk ecosystem under a unified “Senehjori” brand.

Reactions

“The iconic Muga silk is Assam’s pride, yet nearly 40 per cent of its cocoons go to waste. Building on Mission Senehjori, the Assam Budget 2026 invests in infrastructure that will transform silk waste into high-value spun yarn, creating jobs while strengthening Assam’s Muga ecosystem,” Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.

“This initiative is to take Muga Silk from farm gate to foreign shore,” Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said during the virtual launch, emphasising the mission’s goal to enhance value addition, improve production and quality, economically empower stakeholders, and position Muga silk competitively in global markets.

What’s next

The implementation of Mission Senehjori will unfold over the next three years, concluding in 2028, with continuous monitoring of its targets. The mission is expected to foster a stronger partnership between traditional knowledge and modern scientific research to refine practices and develop improved breeds and disease-resistant silkworms.

Beyond industrial development, the initiative will actively promote silk heritage tourism through projects such as a Muga Silk Trail, a Silk Tourism Park, and annual Muga Utsav festivals. These efforts aim to establish Assam as a globally recognised centre for luxury silk production and heritage tourism, creating new avenues for cultural and economic growth.

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