Muga Silk Production: Challenges, Advances in Rearing Technologies and Strategies for Climate Resilience

Abstract

The significance of sericulture in rural economies is profound, as it not only secures livelihoods but also preserves cultural heritage and biodiversity. Across silk-producing nations, sericulture sustains rural communities by generating employment—particularly for women and marginalized groups—and by supporting cottage-based industries. Muga silk which is prized for its natural golden color, is produced mainly in the Northeastern state of India. The larvae are usually reared in the outdoors on two primary host plants i.e., som and soalu, which directly influence the quality and natural golden colour of the muga silk. However, muga farmers faces major challenges such as host plant’s diseases and pests, muga larvae’s disease and pest, difficulties in seed production because of increasing effects of climate change and air pollution. In this review we have collected the relevant literature from the various database such as Scopus, ScienceDirect, Research Gate and Google Scholar and reviewed the current state and future prospects of the muga silk industry. Here we identify the key research gaps and priority areas, which include climate change adaptation strategies like rescheduling the rearing time, host plant breeding programs, the development of disease-resistant biotypes and the establishment of effective technology transfer advisory services.