Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati researchers has conducted extensive scientific field research for Eri and Muga Silk from a Design Management perspective. Among the first such reports in this sector, the final report has already been accepted by the World Bank consultants. 

Titled ‘Diagnostic Study on Weaver’s need in respect of Eri and Muga Silk,’ the research output of this study will play a very significant role in formulating development strategy in this sector. The research team could gather and demonstrate very insightful interpretations on the basis of a huge amount of field-level data. 

The Assam Rural Infrastructure and Agricultural Services Society (ARIAS), Government Assam, is keen to implement the strategies proposed in the report. This project is a strategic contribution of the Department of Design, IIT Guwahati, towards the socio-economic development of Assam. 

The study was conducted by Pratul Ch. Kalita, Associate Professor, Department of Design, IIT Guwahati, and Prof. Amarendra Kumar Das, Department of Design, IIT Guwahati. 

The survey, which encompassed 1,282 weavers, was carried out with primary data collected through a structured questionnaire for weavers, sellers, cluster level designers, dyers and yarn suppliers. The study reached out to weavers in eight districts: Jorhat, Kamrup, Majuli, Lakhimpur, Sivasagar, Sonitpur, Charaideu and Biswanath.

Pratul Ch. Kalita identified five strategic design management interventions for alignment of the demand and supply side of the Design Value Chain of Eri and Muga Silk. The report describes the strategies with a detailed plan. 

The five design management strategies formulated are: 

• Skill development & Skill-up gradation strategy, 
• Design Studio and Digital Design Bank 
• System Design Solution for integrated Supply Chain Management 
• Frame Loom and a new Semi-Automatic Loom to improve productivity and quality 
• Attracting weavers for Eri-Muga weaving.