Tasar, Eri and Muga Silk (Vanya Sericulture) Farming in India 2026
Forest and backyard silks that suit tribal and northeast farmers with hardy outdoor rearing
Overview
Tasar, eri and muga are the non mulberry or vanya silks of India, reared on trees and shrubs other than mulberry and well suited to tribal, forest and northeast regions. Tasar silkworms feed on arjun, asan and sal trees and are reared largely outdoors, giving a coarse golden silk popular in furnishings and ethnic wear. Eri silkworms feed mainly on castor and tapioca, are reared indoors and give a soft warm wool like silk, and unlike other silks eri can be spun without killing the pupa, which suits communities that avoid that. Muga, unique to Assam, feeds on som and soalu and yields a natural golden silk of high value. These silks need less intensive inputs than mulberry but depend on host plants, weather and disciplined rearing. Incomes vary widely by silk type, region and scale, so treat figures as broad guidance only.
Climate
Vanya silks suit the humid forest and subtropical belts where their host plants grow. Tropical tasar is reared in central and eastern India on arjun and asan in warm humid conditions, while temperate tasar grows in the sub Himalayan oak forests. Eri is hardy and adapts to a wide range from the northeast plains to other states wherever castor grows, tolerating both warm and cooler conditions. Muga needs the specific humid climate of the Brahmaputra valley in Assam and nearby areas. Outdoor reared silks are exposed to weather, so heavy rain, storms and temperature extremes during rearing can hurt the crop.
Soil
The setup centres on host plants rather than rearing sheds. Tasar needs plantations or natural stands of arjun and asan trees, established in blocks and pruned to produce tender foliage at rearing time. Eri needs a castor plantation or access to castor and tapioca leaf, and a simple ventilated indoor rearing space with trays or racks. Muga needs som and soalu plantations in suitable Assam soils. Host trees prefer well drained soils and benefit from manuring and protection in early years. Basic equipment includes rearing nets or trays, mountages or cocoonage, and disinfection tools, with much lower built infrastructure than mulberry rearing.
Planting & Spacing
Start by establishing or identifying host plant areas and taking training from the Central Silk Board, regional vanya silk centres or the state sericulture department. For tasar, raise or access arjun and asan plantations and obtain disease free tasar eggs at the right season for outdoor rearing on trees. For eri, plant castor and rear worms indoors from disease free eggs. For muga, work with som and soalu plantations in Assam. Use authorised seed cocoons or layings, disinfect rearing materials, protect young worms from predators and weather, and provide mountages for cocoon spinning. Begin at small scale to learn the cycle and predator management before expanding.
Varieties
The three silks come from different wild silkmoth species. Tropical tasar comes from Antheraea mylitta reared on arjun and asan, while temperate tasar comes from Antheraea proylei on oak. Eri silk comes from Samia ricini, often called the castor silkworm, reared on castor and tapioca. Muga comes from Antheraea assamensis on som and soalu, prized for its natural golden lustre and limited to the Assam region. Within each, improved races and seed are supplied through Central Silk Board grainages and research stations. Choose the silk type that matches your host plants, climate and region rather than trying an unsuitable one.
Care & Management
Outdoor tasar rearing needs constant watch against predators and weather, with workers protecting worms on trees from birds, wasps, ants and reptiles, and shifting them as foliage is eaten. Eri rearing indoors needs clean trays, fresh castor leaf several times a day, correct spacing and good ventilation. All vanya rearing depends on disinfection of seed and equipment, prompt removal of diseased worms and protection of seed cocoons. Maintain host plantations with pruning, manure and protection so tender leaf is available at each rearing. Provide suitable mountages or let worms spin on branches as the species requires, then collect cocoons carefully.
Pests & Diseases
Outdoor tasar faces heavy losses from predators such as birds, wasps, ants, lizards and from storms and untimely rain, making predator management the main challenge. Disease risks across vanya silks include pebrine, flacherie, grasserie and fungal infections, all reduced by using disease free seed and disinfection. Eri and muga also suffer from uzi fly and other parasitoids. Host plantations can be hit by defoliators, leaf diseases and drought stress that reduce leaf quality. Never use bee or worm toxic pesticides on host plants near rearing, and source seed only from authorised grainages to keep disease out.
Yield & Harvest
Worms mature and spin cocoons on branches, nets or mountages depending on the species, and cocoons are harvested once spinning is complete. Tasar typically gives one to a few crops a year tied to the season, eri can give several crops a year because of its indoor hardy rearing, and muga gives multiple crops in Assam conditions. Output is measured in number of cocoons or kg of seed and reeling cocoons per unit, and varies greatly with predator losses, weather and host plant health. Eri cocoons are usually spun rather than reeled, while tasar and muga are reeled into yarn. Treat any quoted yield as indicative.
Cost & Profit
Costs include raising or accessing host plantations, disease free seed, labour for outdoor protection and rearing, and simple equipment, with much lower built infrastructure than mulberry. Many vanya growers are tribal and forest communities for whom these silks add an important cash crop to forest based livelihoods. Income depends on cocoon or yarn output, the silk type and prevailing rates, with muga commanding high value and eri valued for spun yarn and its non violent processing. Returns are sensitive to predator and weather losses in outdoor rearing. Avoid offers of fixed high buy back, since real prices move with quality and market demand.
These are indicative ranges. Actual cost and income vary by region, market and management, so verify locally.
Market & Demand
Tasar, eri and muga silks have strong niche and ethnic markets, with handloom weavers, designers, garment makers and tourists valuing their natural colours and texture. Tasar is used in furnishings and ethnic wear, eri in shawls, stoles and warm fabrics, and muga in premium Assamese sarees and mekhela chador. Cocoons and yarn are sold to reelers, spinners, weaver cooperatives and traders, and value rises if growers move into spinning or weaving. Geographical indication tags for some of these silks support branding. Working through cooperatives and Central Silk Board linked channels improves access to fair prices and steady buyers.
Subsidy & Support
Vanya silks are supported under the Silk Samagra scheme, currently Silk Samagra 2, of the Central Silk Board under the Ministry of Textiles, with components for tasar, eri and muga host plantations, seed multiplication, rearing equipment and post cocoon facilities, implemented with state sericulture departments. Special focus often goes to tribal and northeast regions through regional vanya silk research stations. Assistance is typically project and shared cost based with eligibility conditions, so check current guidelines. NABARD and state tribal development programmes may add support. Confirm the latest terms and benefits with the Central Silk Board or your state sericulture department before starting.
Where to grow it in India
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between tasar, eri and muga silk?
Why is vanya silk good for tribal and forest areas?
Is muga silk grown only in Assam?
What is the main challenge in outdoor tasar rearing?
Why is eri silk called non violent silk?
Want help to start or connect with farmers growing this?
Ask the community Join the Sangh