In a first-of-its-kind initiative to boost agri-entrepreneurship and scientific farming practices, the District Administration, Wokha, in collaboration with the Department of Horticulture, Central Institute of Horticulture, Department of Agriculture, Mission Shakti and NSRLM, has facilitated a 10-day exposure-cum-training programme for 19 farmers, including 13 women farmers, to leading national research institutes in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

The farmers will undergo specialised training at the ICAR-National Research Centre for Banana (NRCB), Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu, and the ICAR-Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (CTCRI), Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. The programme aims to provide participants with first-hand experience in advanced production techniques, scientific management practices, and value addition in banana and tuber crops.

Along with the farmers, officials from the District Administration, Horticulture Department, Agriculture Department, and Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) are also part of the delegation to ensure that the knowledge gained is effectively integrated into local agricultural extension systems for long-term impact.

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Speaking on the initiative, Vineet Kumar, IAS, Deputy Commissioner of Wokha, said the programme has been designed not only to enhance productivity but also to empower women farmers and promote livelihood diversification. By equipping farmers with modern cultivation methods and processing technologies, the district hopes to create opportunities for value-chain development, agri-based enterprises, and market linkages.

This pioneering step is expected to have a transformative impact on the farming community by bridging local farmers with national-level research and innovation, thereby strengthening food security, income generation, and sustainable agricultural practices in the district.