Cashing in on eri silk production

Sericulture department has distributed motorized spinning machines to trained women in Kohima to boost eri-production and income generation KOHIMA, JUNE 18: Twenty women from Kohima district were trained on eri silk spinning on motorized spinning machines under state plan in the six days training programme organized by District Sericulture Office, Kohima from June 13-18 at Gorkha Panchayat Hall, Chandmari, Kohima. Gracing the valedictory programme held this evening, Rovilatuo Mor, Deputy Commissioner, Kohima said though Nagaland has been blessed with good land and favorable topography and climatic conditions, people don’t know how to utilize and exploit the same for economy development. Attributing this to the weak economic strategy and mindset among the Nagas, Mor therefore, said the Nagas have not been able to successfully implement any schemes. While pointing out that people tend to leave any scheme and project halfway, when faced with some difficulties and problems, he maintained that the only way to succeed and achieve is to give one’s best coupled with determination, hardwork, dedication and sincerity from the start till the end. Highlighting the vast scope of sericulture, Mor emphasized the need for specialization in any kind of activity while stating that ‘today’s world is a specialization period’. Encouraging the trainees to get themselves specialized in one activity, instead of getting involved oneself in all and mastering in none, Mor said, in that way, the state can have its own finished fine products and can even export to other countries, thereby lifting the economy of the people and the state as well.In this regard, he has pressed on the need to boost eri-production in the state, and also to manufacture own products for income generation and employment opportunities. While noting that many people want to earn lots of money without giving one’s time and labor, Mor said one can never succeed with that kind of attitude. Distributing the spinning machines to the trainees, Mor has advised them to utilize the machines in the best way and try to improve their economy and the state as well. Asangla Alinger, Deputy Director of Sericulture in her keynote address said during 2015-16 the state has produced 354 metric tonnes of cocoon and 305.30 metric tonnes of silk yarn, wherein most of the products are utilized within the state because of its high demand, and some have been exported to Assam, West Bengal and Karnataka. With vast potential of sericulture in the state due to its favorable land, climate, soil and topography, Asangla said the Central Sericulture Board has been emphasizing more in Nagaland by assisting the state in all its training activities by providing financial, materials, technologies etc. She also said that the motorized spinning machines distributed to the trainees can generate higher production of 200 grams per day with finer yarns and proper twists. Stating that Nagas were not aware of the value and importance of silk in the earlier years, Asangla said there is a demand for silk because of its luster, light weight, softness, comfortability, which is eco-friendly too. The Deputy Director has informed the trainees not to worry about selling off their products stating that the department is always ready to buy at a cost of Rs 2200/- per kg. The trainees were also asked by the Deputy Director to utilize the machines in a befitting way towards improving their livelihood. The programme was chaired by Mhianizoto Meyase, DSO Kohima and vote of thanks proposed by Yingsungbeni Ngully. Motorised spinning machines were distributed free to the twenty trainees.