A National Stakeholders Workshop on “Strengthening the Banana Ecosystem for Sustainable Development” was held today at the Tiyi Hall, Wokha Town. The event was organised by ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Wokha, in collaboration with ICAR-Agriculture Technology Application Research Institute (ATARI), Umiam, Meghalaya, the District Administration of Wokha, the Government of Nagaland, ICAR-National Research Centre for Banana, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, and the Nagaland State Rural Livelihood Mission, Wokha.
The event was graced by Dr. Chumben Murry, Advisor to the Chief Minister of Nagaland, who in his speech, commended the KVK for their efforts in promoting agricultural productivity and highlighted the significance of strengthening the banana ecosystem, which he deemed a promising start for sustainable agricultural development. Reflecting on the progress and challenges faced by the agricultural sector in Nagaland, he noted that in the early 1960s, the state’s agricultural production was relatively low, at around 650–700 metric tons per head. By the time he assumed the office of the Minister for Agriculture, the production had risen to 2,500 metric tons per head, though it still lagged behind other states, he said.
Dr Murry discussed the detrimental impact of traditional jhum cultivation on the environment and stressed the importance of transitioning to more sustainable farming practices. He also expressed optimism about the One District, One Product (ODOP) initiative, particularly in promoting banana cultivation as a cash crop. However, he also emphasised the need for a multi-cropping system to ensure the resilience and sustainability of farming.
He concluded his address by praising the focus on banana as a key crop for Wokha District, noting its potential for both local consumption and export. Dr Murry also touched upon the suitability of the district’s subtropical climate for banana cultivation and encouraged further scientific research and input to enhance production and quality. He expressed hope that the workshop would pave the way for significant improvements in the banana farming ecosystem, ensuring greater productivity and market access.
Vineet Kumar, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, Wokha, highlighted that the workshop wasaimed to promote the sustainable production of bananas and increase farmers’ income. He explained that the district had chosen to focus on banana cultivation after extensive discussions with various stakeholders. He highlighted that Wokha is the largest producer of bananas in Nagaland, with an annual production of approximately 11,000 metric tons.
The DC further explained that banana cultivation is widely spread across the district, making it an ideal crop for promotion. Additionally, banana cultivation is not labour-intensive, and all parts of the banana plant can be utilised, providing significant economic value. He mentioned that the district administration is in the process of preparing a five year vision document for banana production, with the aim of creating a roadmap for the next five years. The workshop would gather technical inputs from experts and stakeholders to refine this vision.
Additionally, Kumar also stressed the importance of national-level collaboration and scientific input for the sustainable development of banana farming in Wokha. He noted that experts from the National Research Centre for Banana (NCRB) would visit the fields to assess the situation and provide guidance. He emphasised that, while the project may face challenges, the objective is to create value for the farmers and enhance banana production in the district.
Suman Sivachar, IFS, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Wokha, offering special remarks praised the initiative, stating that it was the first of its kind in the district, and acknowledged the potential for the entire state to benefit from banana production. He pointed out that banana chips, a popular product, are typically associated with Kerala, but with Wokha’s unique varieties, there is an opportunity to create a distinct identity for banana products from the region. He also highlighted the diverse banana varieties in Wokha, some of which are unique to the region. The DFO urged researchers to document and preserve these varieties, as they could be valuable in terms of biodiversity. He also suggested exploring the possibility of a geographical indication (GI) for Wokha bananas, which would add value to the crop and increase its popularity.
Furthermore, Sivachar addressed the issue of market linkages, emphasising the importance of creating efficient distribution channels for banana products. He urged farmer producer organisations (FPOs) to utilise available resources to improve the distribution and marketing of their products. Additionally, he pointed out that banana fibre could be used to create eco-friendly products, and the district administration was already exploring opportunities for skill development in this area.
The DFO also raised the issue of human-elephant conflict, noting that Wokha has a significant elephant population. He suggested that the banana cultivation project be implemented in a way that avoids areas with high elephant presence to minimise conflicts. He also recommended mixed cropping as a strategy to deter elephants from damaging crops. Finally, Sivachar called for the consideration of crop insurance schemes for farmers to mitigate the risks associated with farming in areas with wildlife conflicts.
Dr. Homeswar Kalita, Head of the ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Nagaland Centre, delivering the special remark, emphasised the significance of this workshop as a crucial platform for discussing technological advancements and strategies for enhancing banana production in the region. He outlined the importance of integrating scientific research with field-level practices and ensuring that banana cultivation not only meets local needs but also contributes to the broader economy. Kalita
acknowledged the dynamic involvement of stakeholders and emphasised the need for effective market strategies to support the banana sector. He also highlighted the vast potential for producing diverse banana-based products, noting that innovation in processing and packaging is key to increasing market appeal.
S. Senka Jamir, Joint Director, Directorate of Horticulture, Kohima, addressed the gathering, noting the suitability of Wokha District for various crops, including bananas. He pointed out that Wokha is well known for its high-quality products such as Assam Mandarian oranges and bananas, with several initiatives already in place to promote banana cultivation in villages like Meriyan Village in Wokha district.
He praised the district’s rich biodiversity, which includes unique banana varieties that are native to the region. Jamir reiterated the importance of focusing on banana as a crop with immense potential for both local consumption and national recognition.
The session also featured a keynote address virtually by Dr. R. Selvarajan, Director of the ICAR-National Research Centre for Banana (NRCB), Tamil Nadu, and presidential address, delivered virtually by Dr. A. K. Mohanty, Director of ICAR-ATARI Zone-VI, Umiam. Following, welcome address was presented by Dr. Sandeep Deshmukh, Senior Scientist & Head, ICAR-KVK, Wokha.
The workshop concluded with closing remarks by Anuranjan Singh, Project Manager of ETF, who reiterated the significance of collaborative efforts among various stakeholders, including government agencies, research institutions, and local farmers, to ensure the successful development of the banana sector in Wokha and beyond.
Later, the technical session of the workshop saw an expert discussion on “Advances in Production, Processing, and Value Addition of Banana for the Nagaland Ecosystem,” presented by Dr. K. N. Shiva, Principal Scientist and Principal Investigator of ABI, ICAR-NRCB, Tiruchirappalli. Following this, a presentation on “Market Opportunities for Banana” was delivered by Thejasevi Putsuüe, Marketing Strategist at NERACE, NEDRi, who provided insights into the potential for expanding banana’s market reach both locally and nationally.
