In a laudable development that is poised to bring cheer to local bamboo farmers, a bamboo-based firm called Nagaland Bamboo Industry (NBI) has launched its maiden product today, 30 May.
Mongkum Jamir, the president of the Business Association of Nagas (BAN), inaugurated the Nagaland Bamboo Industry (NBI) in Akhoya village under Mokokchung district which was also marked by the formal launch of the firm’s maiden brand, Tir Mijang, an organic bamboo charcoal.
In his inaugural speech, Mongkum Jamir extended his congratulations to the proprietor of NBI, K Temjen Jamir, and his dedicated team for successfully establishing the bamboo industry and producing their first product, Tir Mijang.
He commended the cooperative attitude and hardworking spirit of the farmers and encouraged them to set up a “bamboo cluster” and focus on skill development to become valuable partners in the industry. “As far as bamboo charcoal is concerned, we don’t have any marketing problem,” Mongkum said.
Drawing from his recent visit to Bangladesh, Mongkum shared his observations that people of Bangladesh were “not as we thought of” and emphasized that they are industrialists and very hardworking people.
“We have so many natural resources in Nagaland that Bangladesh needs. We need to link them commercially to benefit us,” he said.
The event was attended by farmers and local leaders. The Akhoya village council and the Akhoya Bamboo Growers Society also extended their congratulations to the NBI team for their achievement. Former Transport Commissioner of Nagaland, T Meren Paul, also expressed his appreciation for the successful commercialization of the Akhoya bamboo project through the production of bamboo charcoal by NBI.
The launch ceremony included a dedicatory prayer by Reverend T Lanu, pastor of Akhoya Baptist Church, and Reverend Moameren Jamir, pastor of Longchara Baptist Church.
Tir Mijang will soon be available in the local market. Interested individuals are encouraged to visit the NBI website at nagalandbambooindustry.com and follow their social media handles, @nagalandbambooindustry on Instagram and Facebook.
For further inquiries, contact NBI at +91 8787584752 & +91 9436002285 or email them at contact@nagalandbambooindustry.com.
Tir Mijang: A prospective alternative to Tuli Paper Mill
In an effort to provide a sustainable alternative to the now-defunct Tuli Paper Mill, K Temjen Jamir, the proprietor of Nagaland Bamboo Industry (NBI), has launched “Tir Mijang”, expected to be the “hottest organic bamboo charcoal from the Naga Hills” today. The introduction of this innovative product aims to address the pressing needs of bamboo farmers in the region whose resources were previously going to waste due to the lack of buyers after the paper mill went defunct.
According to Jamir, NBI was established last year to support the bamboo farmers who faced the unfortunate closure of the Tuli Paper Mill, leaving them in despair. He said that hundreds of farmers in Nagaland had cultivated bamboo across thousands of acres of land to supply the paper mill’s raw material requirements. However, the mill’s shutdown shattered the hopes of these farmers.
Located in the Akhoya village, approximately 15 kilometers away from Changtongya town, Nagaland Bamboo Industry was strategically chosen due to the abundant availability of bamboo in the region and neighboring districts. Jamir said the NBI takes pride in its locally manufactured equipment for manufacturing the product, including large-size charcoal burning kilns, charcoal crushing machines, bamboo section machines, and charcoal briquette making machines, “all made in Nagaland.”
Remarkably, the industry has managed to start production without access to electricity or proper motor roads by relying on diesel generators. In fact, according to Jamir, “The NBI has neither taken any help from government nor loan from the bank”. Instead, the support of friends and relatives played a crucial role in helping the industry install the plant and commence production within a remarkable span of 12 months.
Expressing gratitude, Jamir said he sees the financial constraints as a blessing in disguise, as they fostered innovation and creativity within the organization. “Because the situation compelled us to be more innovative and creative, as a result, we could manufacture not only the charcoal but its production machinery too,” Jamir added and emphasized that the mission of NBI is to “create wealth and employment opportunities for the local population.”
The bamboo charcoal produced by NBI has undergone testing at Faer Labs Pvt Ltd, Gurugram, Haryana, where it was deemed suitable for the market. Bamboo charcoal finds various applications, including being used as household fuel for heating and cooking, as well as for purification and absorption purposes such as purifying drinking water, air filters, mattresses, and pillows, acting as a deodorizer, and serving specific industrial purification needs.
It is also utilized in the production of various cosmetic items. Additionally, bamboo vinegar, a byproduct of the manufacturing process, is used as an ingredient in health products.
The fast renewability of bamboo and its ability to produce heat at high temperatures make it an excellent resource for charcoal production, with bamboo charcoal capable of reaching surface temperatures of up to 700 degrees Celsius.