A 10-day farmers’ training program on Extraction and Value addition of non-conventional banana fiber for empowering Naga Farmers, organized by the Dept. of Agricultural Engineering, in collaboration with Science & Technology Intervention in North Eastern Region (STINER), SAS, Nagaland University, Medziphema Campus and funded by ICAR-National Institute of Fiber Engineering and Technology (NINFET), Kolkata, was inaugurated on November 13, 2025 to empower local farmers with innovative agricultural practices.
The event was graced by Pro Vice-Chancellor, Prof Dipak Sinha, Dean Prof Pauline Alila, and In-charge Extension Cell Prof L Tongpang and included Senior Professors, HoDs and faculty members of the School of Agricultural Sciences, Nagaland University, Medziphema campus.
Project-PI, Prof Khan Chand, Department of Agricultural Engineering, SAS, NU provided a brief overview of the project and benefits of eco-friendly banana fibers. Drawing on his extensive experience in food processing, he elucidated the journey of banana fiber from extraction to marketable product.
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A total of 25 local farmers participated in the inaugural session and will undergo hands-on training designed to teach them the efficient extraction of banana fiber and the sequential processes required to convert this natural resource into marketable products. This initiative aims to enhance value addition and generate alternative livelihoods for the farming community.
The importance of adopting sustainable and innovative technologies in agriculture for uplifting rural farmers was stressed at the programme. The interactive session underscored the potential of banana fiber as an eco-friendly alternative for various industries and inspired participants to embrace new skills for economic growth.
Such programmes are aimed at bridging the gap between advanced scientific research and its practical application at grassroots level, thereby fostering community development and entrepreneurship among local farmers.
