Launch of Mission Senehjori to Boost Assam's Muga Silk Industry

The Indian government and Assam state have launched Mission Senehjori, a Rs 411 crore initiative aimed at revitalizing the Muga silk industry. This program is set to directly benefit over 8,000 households and enhance the livelihoods of nearly 2.6 lakh rearers and weavers. With goals to increase farmgate prices and tackle challenges like adulteration, the mission introduces digital traceability and aims to expand Muga silk exports significantly. Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia emphasized the collaborative nature of this effort, which includes multiple stakeholders, and aims to position Assam's Muga silk as a luxury textile on the global stage.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 2, 2026, 18:41 IST

Introduction to Mission Senehjori

One of the core objectives of Mission Senehjori is to substantially increase the earnings of Muga rearers (Photo - @RanjeetkrDass / X)

Guwahati, June 2: The central government, along with the Assam administration, has initiated Mission Senehjori, a significant program with a budget of Rs 411 crore aimed at enhancing the entire Muga silk value chain.

Objectives and Impact

This mission, launched in the presence of Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, is projected to directly benefit over 8,000 households while bolstering the livelihoods of nearly 2.6 lakh rearers and weavers involved in the Muga ecosystem in Assam.

One of the primary goals of Mission Senehjori is to significantly boost the income of Muga rearers. Currently, the farmgate price is around Rs 25,000 per kilogram, but the initiative aims to elevate this to over Rs 50,000 per kilogram through improved processing, branding, quality control, and market access.

Addressing Challenges

The program also intends to tackle considerable post-production losses and issues related to adulteration and the misuse of the Geographical Indication (GI) tag, which have long plagued authentic producers.

A vital aspect of the mission is the implementation of digital traceability and QR-enabled GI authentication, allowing consumers to verify the authenticity of Muga products and helping to prevent illegal imitations.

Collaborative Effort

Scindia described the mission as a unique collaborative initiative, involving eleven stakeholders from various ministries, institutions, private investors, and producer groups.

“This is not just a typical government project. It represents a nationwide collaborative effort where every participant in the value chain has united to create a sustainable future for Muga silk,” he stated.

Financial Breakdown

The total budget of Rs 411 crore is allocated as follows:

Ministry of DoNER – Rs 151 crore
Government of Assam – Rs 46 crore
Ministry of Textiles – Rs 55 crore
Ministry of Cooperation – Rs 21 crore
ICAR – Rs 14 crore
Ministry of Environment – Rs 6 crore
NERHDC – Rs 10 crore
APEDA – Rs 5 crore
DRDO – Rs 3.5 crore
Private sector investors – Rs 90 crore
Contributions from rearer and weaver households – Rs 8 crore

Mission Roadmap

The mission's roadmap, spanning the next three years, focuses on six key interventions aimed at enhancing the sector from production to marketing. These include:

Establishing five modernized Muga reeling units across cluster regions.
Operationalizing a Muga spun silk mill at Dhemaji, capable of converting 25–30 metric tonnes of silk waste annually into high-value spun yarn.
Creating four Common Facility Centres (CFCs).
Setting up four Muga education and training centres.
Establishing a Design and Innovation Lab at Sualkuchi.
Developing a Silk Tourism Park at Dhakuakhana.

Export Goals and Empowerment

The initiative also aims to increase annual Muga silk exports from approximately 500 kilograms to 2,000 kilograms while promoting apparel manufacturing through self-help group-led enterprises.

Union Minister of State for Textiles, Pabitra Margherita, emphasized that this initiative aligns perfectly with the Ministry of Textiles’ vision of taking Indian silk from “farmer to fabric, fashion, and foreign markets.”

Cultural Significance

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma described the launch as a historic moment for Assam, noting that Muga silk holds a significant place in the state's social, cultural, and economic identity. He stated that references to Assam’s silk heritage are found in ancient literature and historical records.

Through this mission, rearers and weavers will gain access to global markets, new technologies, contemporary designs, and improved income opportunities.

Innovation and Future Prospects

Scindia also highlighted the importance of innovation and product diversification to make Muga more attractive to modern consumers. He stated, “Muga enjoys immense recognition beyond India. We must move beyond traditional offerings and create a diversified product catalogue.”

To achieve this, the mission will establish a Muga Design Innovation Lab in collaboration with institutions such as the National Institute of Design (NID) and National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), along with leading designer brands.

Conclusion

Scindia mentioned that the idea for the mission emerged after he witnessed the diversity of Muga products at an Ashtalakshmi event in New Delhi. He placed it within the context of DoNER's broader Northeast strategy, which has already led to dedicated missions for various regional products.

“Muga's golden sheen, durability, distinct identity, and GI status convinced us that it deserved a dedicated mission,” he concluded. “Today we are embarking on a journey to position Assam's golden silk among the finest luxury textiles in the world.”