One-day workshop on ‘Scouting, Documentation and Dissemination of Local Grassroots Innovators from Nagaland’ held at FAC

A one-day workshop on “Scouting, Documentation, and Dissemination of Local Grassroots Innovators from Nagaland” was held at Fazl Ali College Conference Hall, Mokokchung, on September 11. The workshop was organized by the Department of Environmental Science, Fazl Ali College, Mokokchung, and the Research and Development Cell (RDC), FAC, Mokokchung, in collaboration with the National Innovation Foundation (NIF-India).

The workshop was organized under Project Investigator Mr Nohochem Sangtam, Assistant Professor, Environmental Science Department, Fazl Ali College, collaborating project on Scouting and Documentation on Grassroots Innovators with National Innovation Foundation (NIF), an autonomous institute under the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India.

The inaugural speech was delivered by Dr Vivek Kumar, Scientist-F, National Coordinator, Scouting, Documentation, and Database Management Division, NIF-India. Dr Kumar highlighted the importance of nurturing grassroots innovators and stressed the need for interactions to understand local scenarios and build networks. He noted that innovations identified at the grassroots level have benefitted many communities across the nation.

Dr Kumar further explained that the workshop aimed to identify and scout potential local innovators while establishing a network with local support. He encouraged students to take an interest in local innovations, mentioning that NIF offers internship opportunities for students across various NIF platforms. He also emphasized that incorporating grassroots innovations with formal science systems helps advance these innovations.

The first technical session was moderated by Dr P Tiatemsu, Associate Professor, Department of Botany, FAC, with Dr Shokip Tumtin, Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry, serving as rapporteur. Prof Ashutosh Tripathi, Head of the Department of Environmental Science, Nagaland University, spoke on the topic “Scope of Locally Available Biowaste in Livelihood Innovators’ Opportunities.” He encouraged the use of Nagaland’s rich bio-resources to transform waste into wealth.

Dr Rajiv Mili, Senior Innovation Fellow, NIF-India, Guwahati Cell for the Northeast Region, also spoke during the first technical session.

In the second technical session, moderated by Dr B Imnawabang Longkumer, Assistant Professor, Department of Economics, FAC, Dr Akumtoshi Longkumer, entrepreneur and Managing Director of Sutsung Enterprise Pvt. Ltd., shared insights on his innovative entrepreneurship journey. The session was followed by an interaction with local farmers, innovators, and traditional healers.

The closing remarks were delivered by Dr E Benrithung Patton, Convenor, Research & Development Cell, FAC. He noted that the workshop had been truly inspiring, showcasing the powerful convergence of tradition and modern innovation. “We’ve seen how ancestral wisdom blends with contemporary creativity, marking a significant step in our journey to recognize, nurture, and elevate grassroots innovations in Nagaland, a region rich in indigenous knowledge and resourcefulness,” he said.

Dr Patton added that while the workshop laid the groundwork for advancing grassroots innovations, the real work begins now. He urged educators, researchers, policymakers, and community members to provide not only technical and financial support but also create environments that encourage experimentation, risk-taking, and creativity.

MT