The project primarily focuses on the study of the existing Design Value Chain of Eri and Muga Silk in Assam, starting from weaving (supply side – value creation) to marketing (demand side – value delivery), and formulation of Design Management Strategy to align demand and supply. The survey, which encompassed 1,282 weavers, was carried out with primary data collected through 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. Such an in-depth study with extensive scientific field research from design management perspective has been conducted for the first time, with the research output likely to play significant role in this sector. We have identified five strategic design management strategies for the sector viz (i) skill development and skill-up gradation strategy, (ii) design studio and digital design bank, (iii) system design solution for integrated supply chain management, (iv) fame loom and a new semi-automatic loom to improve productivity and quality, and (v) attracting weavers for Eri-Muga weaving.
