Central Muga Eri Research and Training Institute
| Type | Government research institute |
|---|---|
| Established | 1999 |
Parent institution | Central Silk Board |
| Affiliation | Ministry of Textiles, Government of India |
| Director | Dr. Kartik Neog |
| Location | , , India |
| Campus | Rural |
| Website | cmerti |
Central Muga Eri Research and Training Institute (CMER&TI) is a government research institute located at Lahdoigarh near Jorhat in the Indian state of Assam. It functions under the Central Silk Board of the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, and serves as the apex research and training institution for the development of muga and eri sericulture in India.[1][2]
The institute conducts research, technology development, and training programmes related to the cultivation of muga and eri silkworms, host plant management, and post-cocoon processing technologies. Its work supports the sericulture industry, which provides livelihood opportunities for thousands of rural households across the northeastern region of India.[3]
History
The origins of the institute can be traced to the establishment of the Central Muga Eri Research Station at Titabor in Assam in 1972 by the Central Silk Board to provide scientific support for the development of muga and eri sericulture in northeastern India.[4]
Subsequently, specialised research units were created for different silk varieties, including the Regional Muga Research Station at Boko and the Regional Eri Research Station in Meghalaya. In 1987 the Central Silk Board established the Central Muga Research & Training Institute at Lahdoigarh near Jorhat to focus on advanced research and training in muga sericulture.[4]
In 1999 the institute was restructured and renamed the Central Muga Eri Research and Training Institute, becoming a full-fledged national research and training centre dedicated to both muga and eri silk production.[3]
Campus
The CMER&TI campus is located at Lahdoigarh, approximately 16 kilometres east of Jorhat town in Assam. The campus houses laboratories, research farms, training facilities, administrative buildings, and residential accommodation for trainees and scientists.[2]
The institute maintains experimental farms and host-plant plantations for conducting field trials and developing improved technologies related to sericulture. It also operates training facilities where farmers, extension officers, and researchers receive technical instruction in modern sericulture practices.[3]
Organisation
The institute functions under the administrative control of the Central Silk Board headquartered in Bengaluru. Research and extension activities are coordinated through several regional units and extension centres located across India.[5]
These include:
- Regional Sericulture Research Station, Boko, Assam
- Regional Sericulture Research Station, Imphal, Manipur
- Research Extension Centres in Assam, West Bengal, Arunachal Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh
- Field laboratories and demonstration units for technology dissemination
The institute employs a team of scientists and technical experts working in disciplines such as sericulture biotechnology, host plant improvement, silkworm breeding, and extension management.[5]
Research and development
CMER&TI conducts research aimed at improving productivity and sustainability in muga and eri silk production systems. Major areas of research include:
- breeding and improvement of silkworm strains
- host plant cultivation and disease management
- biotechnology and genetic research
- post-cocoon processing and silk reeling technologies
- sericulture economics and extension management
The institute has developed several technologies to improve silk productivity, including improved silkworm breeds and disease-control formulations for muga silkworms.[6]
These innovations are disseminated to farmers through field demonstrations, training programmes, and extension services.[2]
Training
The institute conducts short-term and long-term training programmes for farmers, sericulture officers, entrepreneurs, and self-help groups.[7]
Training modules cover both pre-cocoon activities such as silkworm rearing and host plant cultivation and post-cocoon technologies including cocoon processing, spinning, and silk reeling.[7]
Activities
The institute conducts technology dissemination programmes and awareness campaigns in collaboration with state sericulture departments and other agencies. CMER&TI has organised training programmes and workshops for farmers in northeastern states to promote scientific sericulture practices and improve silk production.[8]
Workshops organised by the institute also focus on sustainable sericulture practices and livelihood development for tribal communities in the region.[9]
See also
References
- ^ "Central Muga Eri Research and Training Institute". Central Muga Eri Research and Training Institute. Retrieved 12 March 2026.
- ^ a b c "CMER&TI Annual Report 2020–21" (PDF). Central Silk Board. Retrieved 12 March 2026.
- ^ a b c "Overview of Central Muga Eri Research and Training Institute". Central Muga Eri Research and Training Institute. Retrieved 12 March 2026.
- ^ a b "RTI document: Organizational set up of CMER&TI" (PDF). Central Silk Board. Retrieved 12 March 2026.
- ^ a b "Organizational set-up". Central Muga Eri Research and Training Institute. Retrieved 12 March 2026.
- ^ "CMERTI gets ISO certificate". The Assam Tribune. Retrieved 12 March 2026.
- ^ a b "Training programmes at CMER&TI". Central Muga Eri Research and Training Institute. Retrieved 12 March 2026.
- ^ "Farmers trained in modern sericulture techniques". The Arunachal Times. 19 August 2025. Retrieved 12 March 2026.
- ^ "Workshop promotes sustainable sericulture practices". Eastern Sentinel. 10 October 2025. Retrieved 12 March 2026.