Raphael Warjri

Meghalaya Chief Minister, Conrad K. Sangma recently inaugurated Sai Lum, an Eri Yarn Manufacturing Unit at Bhoirymbong in Ri-Bhoi, aimed at strengthening Meghalaya’s Eri silk value chain and supporting local farmers and weavers.

Speaking at the inauguration, the Chief Minister said Meghalaya is the world’s second largest producer of eri cocoon with an annual production of around 700 metric tonnes. However, he noted that farmers were forced to sell cocoons at low prices while weavers had to buy yarn at high rates as spinning activities were carried out outside the state.
He said enterprises like Sai Lum would help bridge the gap between cocoon and yarn production while improving returns for farmers and weavers in Ri-Bhoi, which is regarded as the hub of silk production in the state.

Sai Lum is the initiative of local entrepreneur Wallambok Pyngrope and has been set up at a cost of Rs 1.20 crore with support from PRIME Meghalaya and NECTAR.

The unit has the capacity to produce 25–30 kg of Eri yarn daily and is expected to benefit around 7,000 cocoon farmers and 2,500 weavers by ensuring fair prices, affordable yarn supply and reduced dependence on middlemen. It will also generate 10–15 direct jobs.