The inaugural Banana Festival 2025 concluded on Friday at the Public Ground, Wokha, celebrating the cultural, economic, and entrepreneurial significance of the fruit while spotlighting grassroots development initiatives.
The final day featured an array of competitions and community activities, including the Banana Stem Cutting Competition, which saw enthusiastic participation from local farmers and youth. The Open Sales Day and Farmers–Buyers Meet allowed visitors to explore and purchase diverse banana varieties and by-products, highlighting innovative local brands. Notably, Yuthi Delight stood out for its creative offerings, including banana stem juice, banana chips, and banana salad, showcasing the growing potential of local entrepreneurship.
A landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the District Administration, Wokha, and three national research institutions:
·ICAR–National Research Centre for Banana, Tamil Nadu
·Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development (IBSD), Imphal
·CSIR–North East Institute of Science and Technology (NEIST), Jorhat
The MoU aims to empower local farmers by integrating advanced agricultural technologies, promoting scientific farming practices, and facilitating joint research. Focus areas include cultivating medicinal and aromatic crops, enhancing production, and establishing market linkages, creating opportunities for sustainable livelihoods and economic resilience in Wokha and across Nagaland.
Cultural and Educational Highlights
The three-day festival combined entertainment, education, and innovation. Competitions such as Banana Salad Making, Banana Eating Contests, quizzes on banana cultivation and nutrition, and Banana Fancy Dress Competitions engaged students, farmers, and citizens alike. Technical sessions on cultivation, value addition, branding, packaging, and by-product innovation provided practical insights for entrepreneurs, farmers, and students.
Over 100 exhibition stalls showcased banana varieties, value-added products, and machinery including banana fiber extraction units. Awards were presented for Best Stall, Best Value Addition, and other categories, with winners receiving certificates, cash prizes, and agricultural equipment.
The official closing ceremony on Thursday, October 23, was attended by Advisor for Agriculture Mhathung Yanthan, who expressed gratitude to government departments, sponsors, and stakeholders. He highlighted the festival as a model initiative, emphasizing its potential to foster ongoing promotion of banana-based products, local entrepreneurship, and sustainable development in Wokha.
Director of ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Dr S Hazarika, commended the collaborative effort in organising the event and reaffirmed ICAR’s commitment to providing technological support and research partnerships to strengthen the Vision Document on Banana.
Deputy Commissioner of Wokha, Vineet Kumar, IAS, delivered the keynote address, noting the festival’s potential to generate long-term economic impact through a circular economy and recurring community engagement.
The festival’s success lies not only in its vibrant showcases and competitions but also in its ability to combine scientific innovation, entrepreneurship, and community participation. Organisers and participants expressed optimism that the Banana Festival will become an annual event, paving the way for Wokha to emerge as a leading agricultural hub in Nagaland and beyond.