DIMAPUR: Nagaland Bamboo Development Agency (NBDA) observed World Bamboo Day 2026 under the theme “Bamboo Beyond Borders” at the Nagaland Bamboo Resource Centre (NBRC), Sovima, on Friday.
The occasion began with the hoisting of the World Bamboo Day flag, followed by the inauguration of the “Green Gold Barn,” a new facility showcasing bamboo applications through traditional knowledge, technology and innovation, a DIPR report stated.
Guest of honour Nuzota Swuro, chairman NBDA and senior vice president NPF, in his address highlighted the significance of bamboo in Nagaland’s history, culture and rural economy.
He said bamboo had increasingly emerged as an avenue for enterprise, employment, innovation and sustainable development. Reflecting on NBDA’s journey since its establishment in 2005, Swuro noted that its work had expanded from plantation to skill development, processing, value addition, enterprise creation, technology intervention and market promotion under the brand “Naturally Nagaland.”
He emphasised the role of the Nagaland Bamboo Resource Centre as a platform for training, demonstrations, exhibitions and technology dissemination. He said NBDA had set up two Common Facility Centres generating employment for over 500 people, and stressed the need to strengthen market linkages so Nagaland’s bamboo products could reach national and international markets. He also called for greater youth participation in bamboo entrepreneurship, extending beyond farming and craftsmanship to design, engineering, architecture, food processing, digital marketing and technology.
Delivering the keynote address, Tiameren Chang, Mission Director NBDA, said World Bamboo Day recognised bamboo’s potential in sustainable development, livelihood generation and economic transformation. He highlighted NBDA’s achievements including block plantation covering 1,506 hectares, training of over 200 entrepreneurs and artisans, establishment of two Common Facility Centres, primary processing units, 30 rural haats, 30 bamboo bazaars and 15 demonstration plots. He also cited NBDA’s participation in trade fairs, exhibitions and the annual Hornbill Bamboo Carnival.
Referring to the Green Gold Barn, Chang said it exemplified how traditional bamboo knowledge could be combined with technology and innovation. He stressed the importance of exploring indigenous bamboo species, strengthening plantation management, scientific harvesting, product development, branding and market access to ensure benefits reach farmers, artisans, youth and entrepreneurs.
Dr. Jayanta Choudhury, Professor and Head, Department of Rural Development and Planning, Nagaland University, Medziphema Campus, spoke on bamboo cultivation, nursery development and utilisation.
He highlighted the potential of bamboo based biochar and proposed diploma and vocational courses related to bamboo at the university. He also called for greater collaboration among bamboo agencies across the Northeast to strengthen competitiveness in wider markets.
Certificates were distributed to trainees who completed vocational skill development courses at the centre. The programme was chaired by Lipoksungkum Imsong, Team Member NBDA, while Mhonlumi Patton, Team Member NBDA, delivered the vote of thanks.
