The Union Minister for Textiles, Giriraj Singh, has announced that a Weavers’ Service Centre (WSC) will be established in Meghalaya, once the state government allots land for the project. The move is being seen as a major step towards strengthening the handloom and textile ecosystem in the Northeast, which currently has only one such centre located in Guwahati.

The announcement was made during Singh’s visit to Nongpoh in the Ri-Bhoi district, where he inaugurated the Integrated Textile and Tourism Centre (ITTC) and launched the ‘EKTA Meghalaya’ initiative. Addressing the gathering, Singh said the proposed WSC would provide critical support to weavers by offering design assistance, technical guidance, and market linkages, helping artisans improve both the quality and commercial viability of their products.

The newly inaugurated Integrated Textile and Tourism Centre has been envisioned as a comprehensive platform that combines skill development and cultural promotion. According to the minister, the centre will focus on training, design development, silk processing, product diversification, and textile-based tourism. It is expected to act as a gateway for local artisans to access national and international markets, creating new livelihood opportunities while preserving traditional craftsmanship.

Singh also highlighted that the central government is implementing multiple schemes aimed at modernising weaving technologies, strengthening handloom clusters, and promoting natural fibres globally. He described the Northeast as the “pride of India’s textile heritage” and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening every segment of the textile value chain in the region, from raw material production to finished goods and global marketing.

A major focus of his announcement was on improving farmers’ incomes through the expansion of Muga sericulture, a traditional silk-producing activity that is unique to the region. Singh said discussions were held on increasing the number of Muga silk crops from two to three per year, which could potentially double farmers’ earnings. He added that, with the adoption of best practices, one acre of land could generate income ranging from four to five lakh rupees. The Central Silk Board and the Meghalaya sericulture department will jointly take this initiative forward.

Emphasising India’s unique position in the global silk industry, Singh noted that India is the only country in the world that produces all major varieties of silk — Muga, Tasar, Mulberry and Eri. He said scaling up the production of Muga and Eri silk in Meghalaya and other northeastern states could position India as a global leader, particularly at a time when many countries are increasingly turning towards synthetic fibres.

Union Minister Pabitra Margherita also spoke at the event, highlighting the growing global footprint of Northeast India’s artisans. He recalled an instance where a weaver from a remote village in Meghalaya showcased their fabric at ‘BharatTex’, one of the world’s largest textile exhibitions. He stated that 52 per cent of India’s handlooms are located in the northeastern region, underlining the strategic importance of the area in the country’s textile sector. He also announced that all state textile ministers would meet in Guwahati next month to deliberate on a Northeast-focused textile development agenda.

Meghalaya’s Textiles Minister Metbah Lyngdoh described the Integrated Textile and Tourism Centre as a transformative initiative that would empower artisans, revive the region’s silk heritage, and establish Nongpoh as a textile-tourism hub. He explained that the centre, to be developed under the North East Regional Textile Promotion Scheme, has been conceived not just as a production facility but also as an artisan hub, a living textile museum, and an innovation space.

State Principal Secretary Frederick Kharkongor said the new facility symbolises Meghalaya’s “textile renaissance”, reflecting a renewed focus on preserving traditional skills while adapting them to modern markets. He added that the project represents a vital step towards sustainable livelihood creation, cultural preservation, and positioning Meghalaya as a key destination in India’s evolving textile landscape.