BALISO, 10 Oct: The Arunachal Pradesh Khadi & Village Industries Board (APKVIB) has initiated an eri and mulberry silk cluster development programme in Baliso, Naksha Parvat and Dikalmukh in Dissing-Passo circle of Pakke-Kessang district with the objective of promoting sericulture as a sustainable livelihood activity and generating additional income and employment opportunities for rural households.
Addressing an awareness programme on eri and mulberry silk cluster development here recently, Kameng Organic Farmers' Producers Company president Nabum Takum highlighted the importance of the programme for livelihood development, saying that the government is committed to rural skill and livelihood development.
APKVIB Chairman Maling Gombu spoke on the aims to encourage scientific cultivation of eri and mulberry silkworms, strengthen the availability of quality silkworm rearing resources, and develop a sustainable local silk-based livelihood system.
"Through cluster-based development, the APKVIB seeks to bring farmers and rural entrepreneurs together to improve production, enhance skills, and explore opportunities for value addition and marketing of silk products," Gombu said.
Arunachal Pradesh has considerable potential for sericulture, owing to its diverse agro-climatic conditions, availability of natural resources, and traditional knowledge associated with silk production. Eri silk, in particular, offers opportunities for rural households because of its suitability for small-scale rearing and its potential for supporting local weaving and other village industries. Mulberry sericulture can further diversify farmers' income and create opportunities across the silk value chain, stated a release from the APKVIB.
Vice Chairman Tagin Siga spoke on the APKVIB programme to take up development of eri and mulberry silk in Arunachal with technical consultation with other line departments.
Arunachal State Livelihood Mission Chief Operating Officer Ruzing Bellai shared his experience of working with the World Bank project in the Northeast and other countries. He spoke of entrepreneurship development and how each village could to have its own product.
"Skilling and livelihood programmes are a priority of the ArSLM and Rural development Department," Bellai said.
"One hundred farmers from Dissing-Passo circle attended the programme that was under the Kameng Organic Farmers Producers Company and Hills Heritage Cooperative Society as the nodal clusters," said the release.
