https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Eri Culture: Bringing New Hope for a Progressive Sustainable Economy in Nalbari

Eri Culture Revitalizes Nalbari's Economy, Empowering Women and Ensuring Sustainability. Recognizing the potential of Eri culture, the district administration has implemented various initiatives to support and develop this traditional practice
Indian Masterminds Stories

In Nalbari, Assam, Eri culture, an age-old ethnic tradition of rearing Eri silkworms (Samia ricini), is transforming into a thriving economic activity, fostering socio-economic benefits and promoting sustainability. Once limited to preserving cultural heritage, Eri culture is now driving significant economic development in the region.

Nalbari, a district with 109,481 economically disadvantaged households (SECC data), faces numerous challenges, including small landholding sizes and high anthropogenic pressure, being the third densest district in the state. The need for sustainable livelihood options, especially for women, has driven the district administration to revitalize and modernize the traditional practice of Eri rearing. This effort is further bolstered by the presence of a vibrant ecosystem of Women’s Self Help Groups (SHGs) under the Rural Livelihood Mission.

Recognizing the potential of Eri culture, the district administration has implemented various initiatives to support and develop this traditional practice. A cluster approach was adopted, integrating benefits from schemes like MGNREGA, NRLM, and Amrit Sarovar. This strategic dovetailing of resources has led to positive spillovers in livelihood development.

In a conversation with Indian Masterminds IAS officer and DC of Nalbari, Ms. Varnali Deka said, “This is a multifaceted livelihood initiative wherein we have taken special efforts for creating a self-sustaining value chain, leading to massive contribution to the GDP of the district and state by the women and eri rearers at incremental efforts even after completing their household and daily chores. We will create many more Lakhpati Baideus by this scheme.”

Supporting Eri Culture through Strategic Initiatives

To bolster Eri culture, the administration has established extensive plantations of Era (castor), Keseru, and Tapioca along the newly constructed Amrit Sarovar ponds. Over 100 hectares of community and individual land have been dedicated to these plantations, enhancing the district’s and state’s greening initiatives. The maintenance of these plantations is managed by Cluster Level Federations, ensuring the direct involvement of the beneficiaries.

Additionally, the administration has provided Eri sheds through MNREGA to 200-250 SHG women in each of the seven Development Blocks of Nalbari. These ergonomically designed sheds offer a controlled environment for Eri silkworms, optimizing space and cost. Within six months of its launch, this initiative has benefited thousands of families, offering them a sustainable livelihood option that requires incremental efforts. Eri rearing does not demand full-time occupation, allowing rearers to balance household chores with their work.

One beneficiary, Ms. Akhari Bodo from Nowra village under Barkhetri Development Block, expressed her satisfaction with the Eri shed provided. “Now I can rear 5 to 6 crops per year and earn ₹8000-₹10000 per crop. Earlier, we reared Eri worms in our kitchen, managing only 2-3 crops per year with poor earnings due to the lack of a proper Eri rearing shed and adequate feeder leaves. The new shed has transformed our lives,” she shared.

Market Expansion in Eri Silk Production

Through judicious use of the Silk Samagra scheme, Nalbari district has achieved self-sufficiency in Eri seed production. Previously dependent on imports from Kamrup and the Central Silk Board under the Ministry of Sericulture, Nalbari now meets its local supply and exports to Rangia, Bajali, and textile mills in Panikhaiti, Guwahati. During peak production months from April to November, the district has already exported 4000 kgs of cocoons to mills in Coimbatore, Bengaluru, and Malda. Rearers now retail cocoons at rates of ₹900-₹950 per kg, with another 15 kgs slated for export by the end of the month.

To further enhance production, an Eri spinning unit was established in an amalgamated school building under the Barkhetri Development Block. Equipped with 40 Eri spinning machines, this unit allows spinners to produce 180-200 grams of yarn per day, compared to the traditional Takli method, which yielded only 60-70 grams per day of coarser yarn sold at lower prices.

The district administration has also focused on creating strong market linkages and promoting Eri silk products. Expos like ‘Nalbeira HAAT’ provide a platform for local weavers through ASRLM, and partnerships with e-commerce platforms like ‘My Store’ expand their market reach. With assistance from NABARD, a Rural Mart has been set up at the Nalbari Planetarium, further boosting local sales.

Ms. Varnali Deka received award from the president

“Earlier, we distributed only 11-12 kgs of Eri seed, resulting in around 4 metric tons of cocoons sold. Today, local demand exceeds 6 kgs of seed every month, resulting in over 7 metric tons of cocoons produced by rearers supported by us,” stated the Deputy Director of Sericulture, Assam, who noted the significant progress. 

The multifaceted approach towards supporting the Eri culture has not only preserved this traditional practice but also enhanced economic conditions for many families in Nalbari. Improved living standards, better access to education and healthcare, and economic empowerment of women involved in Eri silk production are some of the significant benefits observed. The success of this initiative highlights the potential of traditional practices in contributing to sustainable economic development.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
BEL PSU
Bharat Electronics (BEL) & VVDN Technologies Forge Strategic Alliance for Indigenous Devt of Wi-Fi and 5G Networking Systems
Dr Mohan Yadav
Rani Durgavati's Legacy to Inspire Generations: MP CM Dr Mohan Yadav Announces Zoo and Rescue Centre in Her Name
GAIL Awards
ICAI Recognizes: GAIL’s Executive Director S.K. Sinha Receives Prestigious Certificate from ICAI for Excellence in Cost Management
GRSE
GRSE Honoured with Prestigious National Award for Excellence in Cost Management by ICMAI, Ex-CFO Named Best CMA Achiever
Mohan Yadav MP CM MP
Prime Minister Modi Elevates India’s Global Standing, Govt Acts as Shield for Citizens: Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav
Shipping-Corporation-of-India-SCI
SCI Leadership Update: Rear Admiral Jaswinder Singh Given Additional Charge as Director (BC&T), Shipping Corporation of India - Know More!
Punjab-Police-Logo
Punjab: Five 2011-Batch IPS Officers Promoted to DIG Rank; One Case Under Sealed Cover
GAIL_Wins_Double_Honors_at_National_Awards_2025
Dual Honours for GAIL: Pata Plant and City Gas Business Win at 19th National Cost Management Awards 2025 - Details Inside
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Former Diplomat Ashok Sajjanhar
Iran Is Weakest Now, Needs a Face-Saver
WhatsApp Image 2025-06-23 at 12.39
Retired Officers Lead 7-Day Mission to Revive Betwa River with 55 Check Dams | Video Interview
Inderjit Singh Interview Plane Crash
What ill-fated pilots of AI171 may have gone through in those 40 seconds before the crash? Intro:
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
Sanish Kumar Singh
“If you want it badly enough, you’ll find a way,” Sanish Kumar Singh AIR 8, UPSC IFS 2024 
The real interview, he says, was much more humane. “The board was conversational. The chairman opened...
Raju Wagh
When the Battlefield Became a Study Room and a Dream Took Flight
Amid IED blasts and anti-Maoist operations in Bastar, CRPF Commando Raju Wagh taught village kids, studied...
WhatsApp Image 2025-06-18 at 10.31
"I Just Wanted to Breathe Again": The Man Who Fought Death and Made It to UPSC
Struck by COVID at the peak of his UPSC prep, Devanand Telgote spent months on ECMO, unsure he'd live,...
Social Media
Tigress Arrowhead
The End of an Era: A Queen Falls - Ranthambore’s Iconic Tigress Arrowhead (T-84) Passes Away at 14, Hours After Daughter’s Relocation
Ranthambore mourns the loss of one of its fiercest and most beloved tigers, Arrowhead, the granddaughter...
Screenshot 2025-06-13 194001
Wild Elephant Disrupts Riverside Picnic, Sparks Debate on Human Encroachment; IFS Parveen Kumar Shares the Video - Watch Here!
Mr. Kaswan used the viral video, which has garnered over 1.5 lakh views, to highlight the risks of human...
Tiger jump Sundarban
Stunning Viral Video Shows Royal Bengal Tiger Making Spectacular 30-Foot Leap Across River in Sunderbans - See It Here
Retired Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer Susanta Nanda shared the clip online, which quickly went...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
giant squirrel
Fewer Than 700 Left: Tamil Nadu’s Ground-Level Effort to Save the Grizzled Giant Squirrel
BEL PSU
Bharat Electronics (BEL) & VVDN Technologies Forge Strategic Alliance for Indigenous Devt of Wi-Fi and 5G Networking Systems
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Former Diplomat Ashok Sajjanhar
WhatsApp Image 2025-06-23 at 12.39
Inderjit Singh Interview Plane Crash
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT