Sericulture in North-East India: Diversity, Production Systems, and Future Prospects

Sericulture is one of the sectors of agriculture that deals with the rearing of silk worms and harvesting their cocoons, which can help boost the growth of the concept of sustainable development that integrates agriculture, forestry, and rural industry1. It is a labour intensive, agroforestry-oriented industry supporting rural livelihood that expands across the globe. India is the second largest producer of raw silk of 41,121 MT next to China leading the production supporting around 97.3 Lakh people uplifting the livelihood mainly in the rural and semi urban sectors2 . Characterized with abundant types of silk producing fauna makes the country capable of producing all the major types of natural silks- mulberry silk, Tasar, Oak Tasar, Eri, and Muga silk, made by Bombyx mori, Antheraea mylitta, Antheraea proylei, Samia cynthia ricini, and Antheraea assamensis respectively. Apart from these types of silkworms which have been commercially used to manufacture silks, the forests of northeast regions have many other types of silkmoths that have not yet been used but have great potential3. 

 India being major biodiversity hotspot with strong connection to socio cultural practices, harbour nearly 10% of the world species and supporting additional income to the weaker communities. The north-eastern and sub-Himalayan regions are particularly rich in wild sericigenous insects and their host plants, though only five silkworm types are commercially utilized, including mulberry and vanya silks. Besides that, silkworm cocoon and pupae serve as valuable resources with their host plant having multiple medicinal uses4.

North-Eastern part of India, which includes Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura, which is crucial for non-mulberry silk production. Various sericulture systems are supported by the region's varied topography, rainfall patterns, vegetation, and traditional textile traditions. Mulberry and oak Tasar offer further chances for livelihood diversification, while Eri and Muga silk are particularly important because to their historical connection to the area5.

The North East part of India is identified as one of the 34 biodiversity hotspots in the world due to its abundance of flora and fauna which supports the ideal ecological base for diverse sericulture practices6. Holding the unique ability of producing all varieties of silk, northeast sericulture is embedded in the cultural traditions and involves both genders, especially in the production of Eri silk and geographical indicator (GI) tag Muga silk. According to socio-economic studies, the economic benefits of sericulture have a better ratio compared to several crops produced in agriculture. Eri and Muga silk production is mainly centred on the states of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Tripura with marginal involvement of mulberry silks.  Even though the income level from this activity is fairly stable compared to other cash crops, there are still limitations to its development due to several constraints7. Moreover, Eri silk has less need for investment in capital resources but provides a large employment opportunity, which is quite beneficial for rural development in India8. This review is to integrates current state of sericultural knowledge and existing literature of the North East India with regard to their exclusive silk resources, sericulture methods, constraints faced, and development prospects, which can facilitate sustainable development leading to economic improvement and stability promoting rural areas where sericultural activities are growing.