Central Muga Eri Research & Training Institute (CMER&TI), Central Silk Board, Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India, Lahdoigarh organized a Mega Vanya Resham Krishi Mela at Chungtia village, Mokokchung on 22nd March, 2022. More than 300 Eri and Muga farmers attended the mela during which an exhibition was also organized by CMER&TI to showcase latest technologies developed by the Institute for enhanced Eri and Muga culture.
The occasion was graced by Shashant Pratap Singh IAS, Addl. D.C Mokokchang; Mhathung Kikon, Additional Director, Dept of Sericulture, Nagaland; M. Yanger, Chairman Chungtia Village Council; Dr. Sashiyangba, District Project Officer Land Resource Dept, Mokokchung; Imotemjen, Nodal officer of Eri Silk Development Project for women empowerment in Chungtia and Dr. K.M, Vijaya Kumari, Director, CMER&TI, Lahdoigarh, Jorhat.
Chief Guest Shashant Pratap Singh, IAS, ADC Mokokchung urged the stakeholder to utilize the technologies developed by CMER&TI, CSB for enhanced production and productivity of Muga and Eri culture. He emphasized on byproduct utilization for sustainable development. He also thanked the Institute for organizing Vanya Reshom Krishi Mela in this region.
In her welcome address, Dr. K.M. Vijaya Kumari, Director CMER&TI spoke about overall activities and recent technologies developed by the Institute in Eri and Muga sector. She stressed upon better adoption of technologies and urged the farmers to establish plantations of improved varieties of Eri and Muga host plants to reap better returns. She also advised farmers to adopt recently developed eri chawki rearing technology to improve eri cocoon yield and quality. Director CMER&TI appreciated the role of Chungtia Village Development Council for their untiring efforts to develop Chungtia as an example of women empowerment through Eri culture for entire North Eastern Region. She also ensured that all technological support will be provided for further development.
Special guest, Mathang Kikon, Additional Director, DOS, Nagaland emphasized on the significance of sericulture for economic up-lift of farmers and its importance in Nagaland. He ensured all possible assistance for making the Eri and Muga culture in Nagaland a successful entity.
Guest of honour, M. Yanger, Chairman Chungtia Village Council, Chungtia thanked Central Silk Board for providing all technical and financial support for women empowerment in Chungtia. He also hoped that the support from Central Silk Board will continue for the years to come.
Dr. Sashiyangba, DPO Land Resource Department, Mokokchung requested the farmers to go for large scale rearing for getting maximum economic benefits. He emphasized on natural resources protection for posterity. Imotemjen, Nodal officer of Eri Silk Development Project for women empowerment in Chungtia spoke about the project activities carried out so far and requested Central Silk Board to extend the project duration.
On this occasion following 05 booklets and bulletins on recently developed technologies were also released; Package of practices for Uzi fly Management in Muga ecosystem, Kesseru nursery raising techniques and management, Solar ELD light traps- an efficient technology to control insect pests, A ready reckoner for nutrient management in Som and Ready reckoner for mitigation of petroleum contamination impact on muga culture.
On this occasion lead farmers in Eri and Muga culture were awarded and the farmers shared their experience by acknowledging the impact of recent technologies on their success in both pre and post cocoon sectors. The farmers emphasized that young generation needs to be trained in muga and eri culture for its sustainability. Following 03 farmers were awarded; Mathi Jamir, Khensa Village (Muga Farmer), Lanusangla Longchar, Chungtia Village (Eri Farmer) and AJEMER, Self Help Group (SHG), Khensa Village.
The Nokinketer 