Which State Produces the Most Eri Silk? India’s Top Producer

Eri silk, also known as Ahimsa silk, is a type of wild silk produced in India.

It comes from the domesticated Eri silkworm, which feeds on castor leaves rather than mulberry leaves like other silkworms.

India has a long and rich history of silk production across many states. However, when it comes to Eri silk specifically, one state stands above the rest as the top producer – Assam.

In this article, I’ll walk you through why Assam leads India in Eri silk production and examine the production process, economic impact, challenges, and future prospects for Eri silk in Assam.

Stick with me to uncover the secrets of India’s booming Eri silk industry!

The Top Producer of Eri Silk in India

Assam outpaces all other Indian states when it comes to Eri silk production. Over 85% of India’s total Eri silk is produced in Assam alone.

• In 2020-21, Assam produced over 5,000 metric tons of Eri silk
• Over 4 lakh families are involved in Eri sericulture farming and allied activities in Assam
• Kamrup, Kokrajhar, Bongaigaon, and Darrang are the top Eri silk producing districts

It’s clear that Assam dominates India’s Eri silk production landscape. But why does Assam produce so much more Eri silk than other states?

Why Assam Leads in Eri Silk Production

Assam’s leadership in Eri silk production comes down to four key factors:

Historical Significance

• Eri silk cultivation in Assam dates back to the 17th century, during the rule of the Ahom kings
• The knowledge of Eri silk rearing has been passed down generations as a household activity
• Traditional Eri silk weaving practices using looms are still practiced in Assam

Favorable Conditions

• Warm and humid climate suitable for Eri silkworm rearing
• Abundant local food source (castor plants) for Eri worms to feed on
• Biodiversity hotspot provides the ideal natural environment

Government Support

• Special initiatives like the Eri Spun Silk Mill at Bokakhat promote Eri sericulture
• Central Silk Board and state agencies provide training, research and guidance to farmers
• Schemes exist to supply saplings, materials and equipment to rear Eri silk

Local Expertise

• Skilled weaver communities with expertise in Eri silk production methods
• Deep understanding of best practices related to Eri worm rearing
• Maintenance of quality standards and traditional techniques

With this stellar combination of history, environment, support and expertise, it’s no wonder Assam excels at producing Eri silk!

The Eri Silk Production Process in Assam

Eri silk making is an intricate process that requires great care and skill. Here are the step-by-step stages of how Eri silk is produced in Assam:

1. Worm Rearing

• Eri worm eggs are incubated until hatching
• Worms are reared on castor leaves in bamboo mounts
• Ideal temperature and humidity maintained
• Regular cleaning and disinfection

2. Cocoon Formation

• Mature worms spin cocoons to pupate into moths
• Cocoons are harvested by hand once formed
• Raw silk consists of pupa and cocoon filament

3. Yarn Extraction

• Cocoons are boiled or baked to extract fibers
• Fibers are spun into yarn on a charkha or handloom
• Natural dyes are sometimes applied to the silk threads

4. Weaving Fabric

• Silk yarns are woven into fabrics on traditional looms
• Unique weaving patterns and motifs applied
• Main products are mekhela chadar, riha, garments etc.

At every stage, care is taken to ensure ethical and sustainable practices. The Eri silk economy empowers local farming communities across Assam.

I looked into whether eri silk is produced ethically, and the insights were reassuring.

Economic Impact of Eri Silk in Assam

The Eri silk industry contributes tremendously to Assam’s local economy and communities. Some key facts:

• Provides livelihood to over 4 lakh families engaged in Eri sericulture
• Over 90% of silk produced is used within cottage industries supporting rural jobs
• In 2019-20, the total Eri silk economy was valued at ₹125 crores
• Kamrup district alone produces ₹60 crores worth of Eri silk per year

Additionally, Eri silk plays an important role in women empowerment, poverty alleviation, and boosting farmer incomes in rural Assam.

It also has export significance, with unique Assamese Eri silk products exported worldwide.

Challenges Faced by Eri Silk Producers in Assam

However, Eri sericulture farmers in Assam face a multitude of challenges, such as:

• Environmental threats – Climate change, deforestation and pollution affect castor and worm rearing
• Market instability – Fluctuating market demand and raw material supply issues
• Competition – Influx of cheap substitute products from outside the state
• Lack of modernization – Outdated rearing and weaving practices result in low productivity

Government, non-profits and trade bodies are working to address these challenges through various solutions:

• Eco-friendly production initiatives
• Price regulation efforts
• Spreading awareness about Assam Eri silk GI tag
• Schemes to provide modern rearing and weaving tools

Comparing Eri Silk Production with Other States

While Assam leads by a huge margin, other northeastern states also produce some Eri silk:

The table above compares the scale of Eri silk production in Assam compared to other major Eri silk producing states in India’s northeast.

Assam’s output dwarfs that of Meghalaya and Manipur due to more favorable agro-climatic conditions, larger-scale government support and private investment, robust production infrastructure, abundant food source, and strong weaver networks.

Future Prospects for Eri Silk in Assam

Looking ahead, Assam is well-poised for even higher Eri silk production through:

• New government schemes to plant additional castor crops to feed more Eri worms
• Adoption of improved rearing techniques and mechanized processes by farmers
• Innovative silk products like silk honey, cosmetics using Eri silk protein
• Geographical indication (GI) tag to highlight Assam origin
• Online product promotion and e-commerce to boost sales

If these efforts pay off as expected, Assam could hit 6,500 metric tons of annual Eri silk production by 2025 while creating thousands of additional livelihood opportunities.

Comparing eri silk with mulberry silk highlighted some unique differences between the two.

Which other Indian states apart from the Northeast produce Eri silk?

That’s an interesting question! While the Northeast is the hub, states like West Bengal, Orissa, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu also produce small quantities of Eri silk.

For example, Orissa produces around 60 metric tons per year across districts like Koraput and Rayagada where tribal communities rear Eri silkworms.

However, the production volumes are much lesser compared to Assam and other northeastern states which are the focal points of India’s Eri silk industry.

How is the quality of Eri silk from Assam compared to silk from other regions?

Great question! Assam produces very high quality Eri silk that is known for its white, glossy appearance and coarse, dense texture.

Eri silk fabric from Assam typically has a rich golden tint.

The superior quality is attributed to the robust rearing methods and expert weaving skills of master artisans in the state honed over centuries.

I’ve found Eri silk from Assam regarded as the country’s best, even winning national awards for quality.

Other regions also produce great silk, but Assam Eri silk sets the gold standard for the niche fabric in India.

What new initiatives are being taken to promote Eri silk tourism in Assam?

Since you asked, Eri silk tourism is an emerging concept to showcase silk production hubs in Assam to visitors.

Towns like Sualkuchi host Eri silk tourism festivals to highlight the cultivation and weaving process through workshops, live demos, factory tours and silk product exhibitions.

Tourist villages are also being developed where guests can stay with weaver families and go on guided Eri silk farm visits.

These hands-on tourism initiatives create livelihood opportunities and promote Assam’s Eri silk legacy to wider audiences.

Conclusions

In summary, Assam rightly deserves the crown as India’s prime hub of Eri silk production thanks to its historical significance, favorable agro-climate, abundant food source, government support, and rich weaving heritage.

Eri sericulture is vital to Assam’s rural economy and provides livelihoods to lakhs of small farmers and weavers.

While challenges exist, the future looks bright for Eri silk from Assam with ample scope for growth in output and sales.

I hope you enjoyed this explainer on the Eri silk success story emerging from Assam.

India has a diversity of regional silk traditions, but Assam certainly stands out for its world-class Eri silk production!