Mass Muga Silkworm Mortality in Dhakuakhana Triggers Significant Farmer Losses in Dhakuakhana
Widespread Losses: Thousands of newly reared Muga silkworms are dying in host plantations across Dhakuakhana, severely impacting farmers during the harvesting season.
Premature Deaths: Mature silkworms are perishing before the crucial yarn-making phase in multiple Somanis (host plantations), a region known for Assam’s exotic silk production.
Source & Investment: Farmers purchased Muga seed crops and cocoons from Meghalaya’s Garo Hills at ₹15–₹20 per piece, intending to rear them for the ‘Jaruwa’ harvest.
Financial Impact: The sudden deaths have led to losses of up to ₹20,000 per plantation. In the State Sericulture Department’s Muga Silk Development Project alone, over 80,000 silkworms have perished, amounting to an estimated market loss of ₹5 lakh.
Possible Cause: Renowned Muga expert Jitul Saikia suggests that bacterial and viral infections might be responsible for the devastating phenomenon affecting silkworms in their endemic region.
