In a first-of-its-kind initiative to boost agri-entrepreneurship and scientific farming practices, the District Administration Wokha, in collaboration with the Department of Horticulture, Central Institute of Horticulture, Department of Agriculture, Mission Shakti and NSRLM, has facilitated a 10-day exposure-cum-training program for 19 farmers, including 13 women farmers, to leading national research institutes in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
According to the district administration, the farmers’ team will undergo specialized training at the ICAR-National Research Centre for Banana (NRCB), Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu, and the ICAR-Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (CTCRI), Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. The programme will provide participants with “first-hand experience in advanced production techniques, scientific management practices, and value addition in banana and tuber crops.”
Alongside the farmers, officials from the District Administration, Horticulture Department, Agriculture Department, and Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) are also part of the delegation, ensuring that the knowledge gained “will be integrated into local agricultural extension systems for long-term impact.”
Deputy Commissioner of Wokha, Vineet Kumar, IAS, said the initiative is aimed not only at increasing productivity but also at empowering women farmers. “The programme is designed to enhance productivity, empower women farmers, and promote livelihood diversification. By equipping farmers with knowledge of modern cultivation methods and processing technologies, the district aims to create opportunities for value-chain development, agri-based enterprises, and market linkages in Wokha district,” he stated.
The administration expressed optimism that the programme will have a transformative impact on the farming community by bridging local farmers with national-level research and innovation. The step, it noted, will contribute towards strengthening food security, income generation, and sustainable agricultural practices in the district.
