Banana Festival: Wokha showcases innovation, collaboration

WOKHA — The second-day of the Banana Festival 2025 at Wokha Public Ground saw a huge turnout, with participants enthusiastically taking part in various competitions, technical sessions, and knowledge-sharing activities centred around the theme ‘Banana for food, fibre, and future.’

The evening prize distribution programme was marked by words of encouragement from Mhathung Yanthan, Advisor for Agriculture, who extended appreciation to all departments, sponsors, and entrepreneurs for their support and cooperation.

The advisor described the festival as a promising beginning and urged stakeholders to promote banana-based products and by-products beyond the exhibition period.

Yanthan also commended the sincerity of local farmers and encouraged them to leverage such initiatives. With sustained collaboration among departments, entrepreneurs, and farmers, he said Wokha could emerge as a national agricultural hub.

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Director of ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Dr. S Hazarika, in his speech, reflected on the challenges and dedication involved in conceptualising and executing the event.

He underscored the need for a strategic approach and long-term commitment to realise the festival’s objectives.

Dr. Hazarika assured continued support from ICAR, including technological integration, research partnerships, and innovative strategies for development. He reiterated ICAR’s commitment to strengthening the regional economy and advancing the Vision Document on Banana through scientific collaboration and farmer empowerment.

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The Banana Festival 2025 kicked off with a vibrant fancy dress competition, where participants showcased creative costumes inspired by banana plants and their traditional uses.

This was followed by technical sessions aimed at empowering farmers and entrepreneurs. Dr. KN Shiva, principal scientist at ICAR-National Research Centre for Banana, shared valuable insights on value addition, highlighting ways to enhance banana produce through improved processing and preservation techniques.

The third session, held later in the afternoon, explored marketing and sales strategies, encouraging participants to tap into wider markets for banana-based products.