Guwahati, March 19: 
Assam, which leads the nation in silk production, is taking steps to give sericulture a further boost as well as improve the yarn’s quality.
The Government is also mulling creation of a special fund for a project called ‘Golden Silk’ to increase production of Eri, Muga and Mulberry yarns, sources in the Agriculture Department said.
The fund will also have provision to extend subsidy to develop Muga textiles, according to the sources.
Two pilot projects are expected to be taken up at Dhakuakhana in upper Assam’s Lakhimpur district and Boko in lower Assam’s Kamrup (rural) district for increasing Muga production through involvement of community institutions.
There is also another proposal to establish model sericulture villages in the Muga, Eri and Mulberry growing areas.
To facilitate primary growers of Muga and Eri in getting remunerative prices for their cocoons, a “Cocoon Bank” is being established at Boko with assistance from the Central Silk Board, they said.
Handloom weaving occupies a pride of place in the State and which provides direct or indirect employment to around 25 lakh people which is only second to agriculture, the sources said.
Under the Assam Bikash Yojana, 45,60,605 weavers were assisted through grant of yarn and blankets during the period 2007-11.