The Wokha District Entrepreneurship Task Force (ETF), in collaboration with the North Eastern Regional Agriculture Marketing (NERAMAC) Limited, has initiated a special Skill Development Training program on fruits and vegetables processing as well as pickle making at Humtso, Phiro, and Riphyim (Old) villages in Wokha District. The program aims to the rural women and youth with entrepreneurial skills and enhance their income generation opportunities.

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The programme was inaugurated by MLA, Y. Mhonbemo Humtsoe on Tuesday at Humtso Village Council Hall. The Special Guest, in his address, appreciated the efforts of NERAMAC and Wokha District ETF for giving opportunity to the people of Humtso Village to have hands-on skill training on fruits and vegetables processing.

He also encouraged the participants to attend the training without missing the opportunity as it will enlighten them and will also enhance their knowledge on production unit/ sector and make use of the skill development training to start their own enterprises, assuring them of the government’s support and guidance in their endeavours.

MLA Humtsoe emphasized on the various government schemes and programs that are being initiated in the rural areas to lift up the economic status of common people. He also urged the farmers to take advantage of the scheme and projects to bring changes in the community.

Further he also conveyed to the villagers that a proposal has been earmarked for construction of storage house, black topping from “0” point Wokha town to Humtso Village junction and Agri Link road.

DC, Wokha Ajit Kumar Ranjan (IAS), who is also the chairman of ETF, said that the central government as well as the state government are doing their best to implement various schemes and projects to benefit the general public. Citing the example of Nagaland’s Chief Minister Micro-Finance Initiative to help the farmers through this productivity training, financial assistance, transport assistance, the DC stated that the government is ever ready to assist the farmers, entrepreneurs and businessman of the district through the partnership with NERAMAC, Skill Development and ETF.

He also urged all the departments in the district to judiciously implement the schemes and projects earmarked for Humtso village, an Aspirational Village of the district.

Deputy Manager, NERAMAC, Bhrigu Medhi while highlighting on the skill development training program said that the main objective of NERAMAC is on marketing of agriculture products and providing skill training on fruits and vegetables processing. He also said that after completion of the training the farmers will receive certificate.

The program will cover three batches of 30 participants each from the villages. The duration of the training is 40 days for each batch resulting in National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF) certification for the successful candidates. The skill training will be imparted by experts from NERAMAC.

The participants will learn about the various aspects of fruits and vegetables processing and pickle making, such as raw material selection, hygiene and sanitation, quality control, packaging, labelling, marketing, etc. They will also be provided with hands-on practice and exposure visits to successful enterprises.

The skill development training is expected to create a pool of skilled entrepreneurs who can tap into the potential of the rich agriculture and horticultural produce of the region and add value to them. The program will also help in creating employment opportunities, reducing post-harvest losses, increasing shelf life, and enhancing food security in the region.