Wokha farmers attend exposure training in Tamil Nadu and Kerala

A 10-day Exposure-cum-Hands-on Training Programme for farmers of Wokha district, organised by the District Administration Wokha from August 19 to 28, concluded with participants returning home equipped with advanced agricultural knowledge and renewed optimism.
The programme, supported under Mission Shakti (Beti Bachao Beti Padhao), was conducted in convergence with Central Institute of Horticulture (CIH), Department of Horticulture Wokha, Department of Agriculture Wokha, Nagaland State Rural Livelihood Mission (NSRLM), District Mission Management Unit (DMMU) Wokha, and ICAR-KVK Wokha.
As part of the exposure, farmers visited ICAR–National Research Centre for Banana (NRCB), Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, and ICAR–Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (CTCRI), Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. Training sessions covered hi-tech banana cultivation, tuber crop production, scientific farming practices, food processing, post-harvest management, and value addition, with practical demonstrations and hands-on learning.
Participants received certification in “Food Improved Production and Value Addition Technologies in Tuber Crops” from CTCRI and “Hi-Tech Banana Cultivation” from NRCB. They also underwent training in preparing low-fat fortified chips and flavoured pickles, which they expressed confidence in replicating back home to initiate start-ups and boost local livelihoods.
Director of ICAR-CTCRI, Dr. G. Byju, assured continued technical support to Nagaland farmers and announced future food processing trainings.
He expressed hope that Wokha would emerge as a hub for tuber crops in the state, reaffirming CTCRI’s commitment to improving farmer income and sustainability.
Participants described the exposure as enriching and extended appreciation to Deputy Commissioner Wokha, District Horticulture Officer, District Agriculture Officer, ICAR-KVK Wokha and staff for their guidance. Special acknowledgement was given to CIH, BBBP and KVK, with a note of gratitude to Skill Development Officer Anuranjan Singh for his role in ensuring the programme’s success.
The farmers, along with department officials, returned to Wokha on August 29, marking the successful conclusion of the training programme.