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Category — GS Paper 3 ///Published — 2026-06-04 ///Exam — Both Prelims and Mains ///Tags — Textiles & Silk Industry, GI Tagging, North East India ///Category — GS Paper 3 ///Published — 2026-06-04 ///Exam — Both Prelims and Mains ///Tags — Textiles & Silk Industry, GI Tagging, North East India ///

News · GS Paper 3

Mission Senehjori: Rejuvenating Assam's Golden Muga Silk Heritage

Mission 'Senehjori' is a cluster-based initiative launched by the Ministry of Development of Northeastern Region (MDoNER) in collaboration with the Government of Assam and Central Silk Board to transform Assam's Muga silk sector. The mission involves an investment of ₹396-411 crore over three years and aims to support nearly 2.6 lakh rearer and weaver families. Muga silk, the world's only naturally golden silk, is India’s first GI-tagged silk and holds significant cultural and economic importance for Assam.

2026-06-04

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What is Mission Senehjori?

Mission "Senehjori" is a flagship cluster-based initiative launched by the Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) along with the Assam Chief Minister. The mission focuses on transforming Assam's Muga silk sector into a premium, traceable, export-oriented, and globally competitive luxury silk ecosystem.

About Muga Silk

Key Characteristics:

World's only naturally golden silk – obtained from the silkworm Antheraea assamensis
Host plants: Som and Soalu
GI Tagged: India’s first GI-tagged silk
Valued for its natural golden colour, durability, and suitability for luxury textile markets
Closely tied to Assam's cultural heritage

Mission Objectives

Develop a premium, traceable, export-oriented luxury silk ecosystem
Strengthen Assam's cultural economy
Enhance incomes of rearer and weaver families
Monetise the Muga silk sector

Financial Outlay

Total Investment: ₹396-411 crore over three years
MDoNER contribution: ₹136-151 crore

Coverage

Key Districts: Jorhat, Sivasagar, Lakhimpur, Dhemaji, Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, Majuli, and Sualkuchi

Value Chain Development

The mission will strengthen the entire value chain:

Host-plant cultivation (Som and Soalu)
Silkworm seed production
Reeling
Weaving
Branding
Quality assurance
Export promotion
Digital traceability
Tourism

Institutional Support Mechanisms

FPOs (Farmer Producer Organisations)
Common Facility Centres (CFCs)
Farmer Interest Groups
GI authentication
Global market access under the unified "Senehjori" brand

Targets by 2028

Five modernised Muga reeling units
One Muga Spun Mill
30 FPOs
Over 1,180 Farmer Interest Groups
Regeneration of 5,000 hectares of Som and Soalu host plants
GI-authenticate over 80% of traded Muga silk with digital traceability

Silk Tourism Initiatives

Development of Muga Silk Trail
Silk Tourism Park
Annual Muga Utsav festivals
Promotion of Assam's silk heritage and cultural economy

Significance for India

Promotes sustainable livelihoods in Northeast India
Preserves and promotes traditional craftsmanship
Boosts export potential of luxury silk
Strengthens GI-based branding for Indian textiles
Addresses environmental concerns through host plant regeneration
Contributes to 'Vocal for Local' and 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' objectives