STINER-TFC concludes five-day training on banana fibre extraction and vermicomposting at Nagaland University.
DIMAPUR — A five-day hands-on training programme on "Banana fibre extraction, its value addition, and vermicomposting" conducted by the Science and Technology Intervention in North East Region - Technology Facilitation Centre (STINER-TFC) concluded at the School of Agricultural Sciences, Nagaland University (NU), Medziphema Campus, on Wednesday.
The workshop, which commenced on August 29, was organised under the initiative of Project In-charge Akali Sema to equip students with practical agricultural skills and encourage entrepreneurship, according to an update.
The training opened with practical demonstrations on vermicomposting conducted by Dr. Limasunep and Sharongmangyang Chang, proprietor of Kingkin Vermicompost, Chümoukedima. Dr. Limasunep highlighted the role of vermicompost in transforming organic farm waste into nutrient-rich manure, revenue-generating manure.
Sharongmangyang guided participants on setting up commercial vermicompost units, standard operating procedures, harvesting liquid by-products such as vermiwash, and assessing commercial viability.
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The second phase covered banana fibre extraction and value addition, coordinated by STINER-TFC Project Assistant Bikram Ghimere, who explained methods for utilising all parts of the plant, including pseudostem biomass and liquid runoff.
During practical sessions, 20 students received training in pseudostem harvesting, sheath preparation, mechanical extraction, fibre washing, brushing, braiding in varied thicknesses, and producing items such as table mats, tea coasters, bags, baskets, and caps.
Nagaland University Assistant Registrar Akiya Assumi attended the programme on Wednesday and encouraged students to utilise campus facilities for enterprise development.