Day 2 of Banana Festival held in Wokha

The second day of the ongoing Banana Festival 2025 at Wokha Public Ground continued with enthusiasm, featuring a vibrant mix of competitions, technical sessions, and knowledge-sharing activities centered around the theme “Banana for Food, Fibre and Future.”
In the evening prize distribution session, advisor Agriculture, Mhathung appreciated all departments, sponsors, and entrepreneurs for their support and cooperation. He said it was just the beginning, encouraging everyone to make good use of banana-based products and by-products—not only during exhibitions but throughout the year.
Expressing his satisfaction and calling the festival resourceful, he said the Banana Festival has become a model for others to learn from and hoped that the festival will be celebrated annually.
He also lauded the farmers for their sincerity, urging them to take full advantage of such initiatives. He noted that with continued collaboration between departments, entrepreneurs, and farmers, Wokha can establish itself as an agricultural hub at the national level.
Director of ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Dr. S. Hazarika, who also addressed the gathering, reflected on the challenges and dedicated efforts involved in conceptualising and executing such a significant event. He emphasised the importance of adopting the right approach and maintaining sustained commitment for the successful implementation of the festival’s objectives.
Dr. Hazarika assured continued support from ICAR, including technological integration, long-term research partnerships, and innovative strategies aimed at further development. He reiterated ICAR’s commitment to uplifting the regional economy and advancing the goals outlined in the Vision Document on Banana Festival, particularly through scientific collaboration and farmer empowerment.
Earlier in the day, the festival began with a fancy dress competition, where participants showcased creative costumes inspired by banana plants and their various uses, including traditional ways of utilizing banana leaves.
This was followed by a series of technical sessions focused on empowering farmers and entrepreneurs. The second session delved into value addition, highlighting innovative methods of processing bananas and their by-products to enhance income opportunities for local growers.
Dr. K.N. Shiva, Principal Scientist at the ICAR–National Research Centre for Banana (Trichy), shared insights on ways to preserve and increase the value of banana produce through improved processing and preservation techniques.
The third session, held in the afternoon, focused on marketing and sales strategies, encouraging participants to explore wider markets for banana-based products.
In parallel session, a technical seminar was held at the Lotha Hoho Hall, where experts from various institutes interacted with farmers.
At the same time, a quiz competition for school students was held at the Youth Centre, DBHSS, aimed at promoting agricultural awareness among the younger generation.
The day concluded with an award distribution programme in the evening, where participants and contributors were recognized for their active involvement throughout the festival.