Field Visit to Central Muga Eri Research and Training Institute (CMER&TI), Lahdoigarh, Jorhat                                                                                                                 Date: 06.03.2026

Introduction: A field trip to Central Muga Eri Research and Training Institute (CMER&TI), Lahdoigarh, Jorhat was conducted on 6^th of March, 2026 (Friday) along with 32 students of B. Sc 2^nd Semester (Major), under the guidance of Dr. Manashi Bortamuly and Dr. Jafrin Farha Hussain; and accompanied by Mr. Dipankar Gogoi of the Department of Zoology, N.N. Saikia College, Titabar. The Journey started at around 9:20 am from Titabar.

Trip Objective: The objective of the trip was to study the rearing and spinning/reeling of eri and muga silkworm and to understand about the primary and secondary host plants, along with the different diseases that affect these silkworms.

Field Observation: We reached CMERTI Lahdoigarh at around 11:15 am and were introduced with the different scientists there who guided us through the different departments of the institute. Students got an exposure visit to the pathology laboratory, where different diseases are identified and studied, then different instruments were shown to them. Students also saw the different cocoons of muga, which were ready for reeling. The various primary and secondary host plants of muga and eri like castor, som, sualu, dighlati, mejankari were shown to the students and were properly explained. Students were led to the post cocoon reeling section after a short refreshment offered by the Director, Dr. Kartik Neog. Students were exposed to the different weaving and reeling techniques used by the institute including jacquard. After the lunch break, Director of CMERTI, gave a motivating and informative talk on the utility of present generation to understand the silk industry, and emphasized on taking up entrepreneurship related to silk like muga and eri. Dr. Manashi Bortamuly and Dr. Jafrin Farha Hussain were felicitated with a gamocha, by the Director of CMERTI.

After that, a field visit to one of the farms was carried out, led by one of the scientists of the institute. There, students could see the different stages of larva of the muga silkworm feeding on som plants. After a thorough visit, our return journey started at around 3 pm and we reached back at 5 pm at N. N. Saikia College campus.

Conclusion: The field visit was a precious trip that would be remembered by all.