Impact of Muga Silkworm Culture in Augmenting Rural Income of Assam, India

Abstract

Mugaculture is traditionally practiced by the rural population of Assam. Rearing of Muga silk worm is done by most of the villagers belonging to various districts of Assam as an additional source of income. Envisaging the prospects of Muga industry in Assam, the present work tries to study the role of Mugaculture to alleviate rural poverty. The present study was carried out in Dhemaji district of Assam during 2020 to 2022. The study focuses to examine the different aspects of Muga culture and its significance for the livelihood of local people. The parameters identified for analysis included the nature of Mugaculture practices in the study area, the contribution of Mugaculture to rural households and the economic prospects of Mugaculture. The present study finds that income from Mugaculture practices contributes significantly to the total income of the people. The Mugaculture practice in the study area is found to be an avocation that people engage in between other farming activities and people use traditional methods of Mugaculture. Income is generated through selling of cocoon, pupae and muga silk threads. Moreover, a cost-benefit ratio analysis conducted indicates that Mugaculture is a profitable venture of the people.