In a state where the only jobs are those made available by the government, people like N Brajamani Singh will soon be laughing all the way to the bank. A former businessman who lost it all a few years ago, Brajamani is today part of the Rs 490-crore Indo-Japan sericulture project, which is bringing a new cheer here and looking at reducing the import of raw silk from China by around 10 per cent in five years’ time. Spread across eight acres in Imphal (East) district’s Khanglapokpi area is Brajamani’s sericulture project site, put in place since 2004 by him and 13 others. Together, they form one of the 941 Field Operating Units (FOU) currently participating in the project. As he plants mulberry cuttings in preparation for next year’s season starting March, Brajamani says: “This is a good project that should be implemented properly, as it is a major opportunity for earning money in this state.” Manipur’s silk farmers are riding high on the fact that this is the only place, apart from China, where international quality bi-voltine silk is produced. “India mostly produces lower-grade multi-voltine silk. China is the world leader. We consume about 26,000 tonnes of raw silk annually, of which around 8,000 tonnes are imported from China. When fully operational, in five to six years, Manipur can supply 700-800 tonnes of raw silk. That is about 10 per cent of what we are importing from China today,” says Jairam Ramesh, the Union Minister of State for Commerce. Powered with a soft loan and technical assistance from Japan, the project is to be implemented in two phases — the first costing Rs 134.52 crore and the second Rs 116.19 crore. The first phase is already under implementation, covering 1,610 hectares against the present target of 1,700 hectares. Although the loan agreement was signed in December 1997, and the first phase kicked off in July 1998, the project is just about coming into its own, says S Debabarta Singh, director, Sericulture. The delay stems from two reasons: one bureaucratic, and the other intrinsic to Manipur. While the Definite Overall Development Plan & Implementation Plan was approved after much modification in June 2003, the project was temporarily suspended from October 2004 to March 2005. Government sources say the Centre didn’t have the confidence to release the funds due to the law and order situation. “President’s Rule had been imposed around that time, and the impression given to the Centre was that the funds may be siphoned off by the insurgents,” add sources. Singh, however, says this delay was a boon in disguise for the project. “Mentalities had to be changed. People had been cultivating paddy and vegetables for ages. Silk farming was a new thing. It took time to convince them that this was a far more remunerative endeavour. Also, we haven’t been extorted by militants because we simply don’t have access to the money. It is directly transferred to the beneficiary’s bank account. We did face some problems, but even the militants have understood that sericulture is the mainstay of Manipur’s economy in the years to come.” Based on this belief, the Manipur government has now asked the Centre to assist in developing a Rs 18.69-crore international silk market in Imphal. “This will provide a permanent marketing infrastructure for weavers and craftspersons. The proposed market will cover eight acres. We hope that in the coming years, the number of foreign tourists will increase and we can do more business,” says Singh. At the moment, however, jobless graduates like Sardha Kongrailatpam are busy learning the ropes at the training centre at Sangaipat. “I have an honours degree in formal education, but with no openings in the job market, this is a viable option. I am now learning reeling techniques. I will set up my own small unit, besides training other women in the same.” Already, a Spaniard from Kerala has placed an order for 2,000 silk bags after checking out the quality at the India International Trade Fair in November, says A Binota, assistant director, Silk Reeling & Spinning Factory. “We are getting Rs 230 per bag, it’s our first deal. Even the Tripura Chief Minister was impressed by our stall at Pragati Maidan,” she adds. What is required now is constant monitoring and sticking to project deadlines.
