Hon. Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Mr. Devendra Fadnavis presided over the MoU signing event between BAIF Development Research Foundation and the Directorate of Sericulture, Department of Cooperation, Marketing and Textiles for Tussar-centric Livelihoods Development in Gadchiroli district on July 21, 2026 in Mumbai. The non-financial MoU was signed between Dr. Bharat Kakade, President and Managing Trustee, BAIF and Mr. Vinay Moon, IAS, Director, Sericulture, Maharashtra in the presence of the Hon. Textile Minister, Mr. Sanjay Sawakare, Mrs. Anshu Sinha, IAS, Principal Secretary, Textiles, senior officials from Government of Maharashtra and Dr. Raviraj Jadhav, Vice President, Mr. Sudhir Wagle, Joint Regional Director – West and Mr. Shailesh Bhagat, Chief Programme Manager, BAIF.
This special project is being undertaken by the Government of Maharashtra and BAIF. The private company, Herbalife has joined to support initial rearing of the cocoons and assets for the reeling activity. The project aims at strengthening the local economy by establishing private tussar seed production centres, promoting commercial cocoon production, value-added post cocoon activities and technical training for capacity building and empowerment of 2270 Scheduled Tribe families and women’s Self Help Groups in Gadchiroli district. Subsequent discussions with Hon. Textile Minister focussed on future collaboration to explore the potential for expansion of the tussar and mulberry silk industry across Maharashtra.
