A Nagaland based MSME named Ecostarch has currently set up a facility to manufacture bioplastic bags from Cassava plant in Mokokchung, Nagaland, with the support of North East Centre for Technology Application and Reach (NECTAR), the Ministry of Science & Technology informed on Wednesday.

Ecostarch is mobilising farmers within 30-40 km range of the production facility to take up Cassava farming and the farmers are expected to harvest the cassava plant in a year. Presently, a capacity of the unit is about the tons per month and the market survey has revealed demand for more, the Ministry said.

“Ecostarch aims to set up a biodegradable films/bags manufacturing unit suitable for food packaging and carry bags made of cassava starch sourced locally from farmers. This could employ more local youth in cleaning of raw materials, sorting and packaging of products for shipping,” it added.

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Additionally, the Ministry stated that, currently, promotion is being given to the ‘cassava village’ to boost local economy and provide employment opportunity to local youth. To provide an alternative livelihood opportunities through the practice of Cassava farming, farmer groups are being formed and further trained on cassava cultivation equipping them with useful farming inputs.

Women SHGs (Self Help Groups) operating in all the targeted villages are also being strengthened and encouraged to take up cassava cultivation as their IGA (Income Generation Activities).

The cassava bioplastic initiative is driving an environment friendly plastic economy in the region, with the expectation of creating jobs, empowering villages, and fostering economic freedom for farmers while promoting sustainability.