Nalbari: PepsiCo India has inaugurated a Development Hub in Chengnoi, Nalbari district, to support women-led livelihoods and promote Assam’s traditional Eri silk craft.
The hub has been set up under the company’s RevolutioNari initiative in partnership with the Mrida Heart ’N’ Soil Foundation. It combines technology, skills training, financial support and market access to help rural women participate in different stages of the Eri silk value chain and develop sustainable sources of income.
The initiative follows PepsiCo India’s announcement of a new food manufacturing facility in Nalbari. The company said its investments in Assam also include efforts to support community development, women’s economic participation and local livelihoods.
According to the company, more than 3,510 women have been reached through community awareness and mobilisation programmes, while over 100 women have received training in five livelihood trades. Another 30 women have been trained across the Eri silk value chain.
The initiative has expanded the number of households connected to the Eri silk value chain from two to between 25 and 30. Solar-powered spinning technology has increased yarn output by 2.5 times. The hub also has 10 solar-powered spinning machines and two looms.
Three product lines are ready for commercial opportunities, and 25 households have been enrolled in formal handloom systems through Pehchan Cards and Yarn Passbooks.
Yashika Singh, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer and Sustainability Head for PepsiCo India and South Asia, said, “At PepsiCo India, our RevolutioNari initiative is fueled by the belief that inclusive growth begins at the community level, when women have the skills, confidence and opportunities to shape their own futures. The Nalbari Development Hub brings this vision to life by combining local knowledge with technology, skilling and market access to strengthen traditional livelihood. Through our Partnership of Progress philosophy, we are working alongside our partners and local communities towards supporting both the preservation of a local craft and its evolution into a viable economic opportunity.”
Arun Nagpal, Co-Founder and Director of Mrida Group, said, “At Mrida, we believe lasting change comes from building holistic ecosystems of development, from awareness to entrepreneurship and market linkages. The Nalbari Eri Silk D-Hub is a live example of this philosophy on the ground. Partnerships have been central to this journey, and I am grateful to everyone who made it possible, from the women entrepreneurs of Chengnoi to the Weavers’ Service Centre, PepsiCo and others, without whose support the D-Hub could not have seen the light of day. By using blockchain technology to provide end-to-end traceability across the value chain, we are helping these products stand apart and reach premium customers, leading to significantly higher incomes for the women. The PepsiCo–Mrida partnership remains committed to supporting the D-Hub on its path to sustainability and scale.”
Eri silk production has a long history in Nalbari and has traditionally been practised by the Bodo community. However, labour-intensive production methods and limited commercial opportunities have made it increasingly difficult to sustain the craft.
The hub is introducing modern equipment while retaining traditional methods. Solar-powered spinning machines help produce yarn faster and more consistently, while jacquard-attached looms allow artisans to create more intricate designs.
The initiative is also working with institutions such as the Weavers’ Service Centre in Guwahati to support product development and market access.
The initiative also aims to improve access to formal handloom systems and financial assistance. Through the Weavers’ Service Centre, eligible households can obtain Pehchan Cards and Yarn Passbooks to access applicable yarn subsidies.
Participants may also seek collateral-free MUDRA loans ranging from Rs 50,000 to Rs 5 lakh to invest in and expand their livelihoods.
The hub follows a village-as-a-hub model, with Chengnoi serving as the first location. The next steps include improving market access, bringing more neighbouring communities into the initiative and developing a model that can be expanded to support livelihoods based on Assam’s traditional crafts.
Pankaj Sarmah, Assistant Director of the Weavers’ Service Centre in Guwahati, said, “The Government and the Weavers’ Service Centre remain committed to providing all possible benefits to our weavers. I appreciate the efforts of PepsiCo, Mrida, Sanjog and the other stakeholders in creating an ecosystem where the women and villagers of Chengnoi can build sustainable incomes as entrepreneurs across the Eri silk value chain. While we will all be there to support them, the most critical factor for success will be the women’s own desire and determination to dream, to work towards those dreams, and to make full use of the opportunities before them. I hope this D-Hub becomes a successful and sustainable pilot that can be replicated and scaled up across Nalbari and other districts over time.”