From farm to future: Wokha hosts Nagaland’s first-ever banana festival

The first-ever Banana Festival 2025 kicked off at the Public Ground in Wokha on Wednesday, October 22 under the theme “Banana for Food, Fibre and Future.” The three-day event, scheduled from October 22 to 24, marks a significant step toward promoting agricultural innovation, empowering farmers, and strengthening market linkages across Nagaland.

The festival’s inaugural ceremony was graced by Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Planning & Transformation and National Highways, T. R. Zeliang, as the special guest. He was joined by Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, C. L. John, Minister for Women Resource Development, Salhoutuonuo Kruse, and MLA & Advisor to Water Resources, Tongpang Ozukum.

Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Home & Border Affairs, Yanthungo Patton, served as the chief host, while MLA and Advisor for Agriculture, Mhathung Yanthan, and MLA Y. Mhonbemo Humtsoe attended as hosts.

A major highlight of the opening ceremony was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Wokha District Administration and three premier research institutions:

ICAR–National Research Centre for Banana, Tamil Nadu

Institute of Bioresource and Sustainable Development (IBSD), Imphal

CSIR–North East Institute of Science and Technology, Jorhat

The agreement aims to foster collaboration in technological integration, scientific farming, circular economy promotion, research, and farmer training — paving the way for sustainable agricultural practices and market connectivity.ty

In his address, Deputy CM T. R. Zeliang hailed the initiative as a visionary step that connects producers with consumers, strengthens rural economies, and generates employment. He emphasized the role of government departments in promoting similar initiatives statewide and highlighted Wokha’s potential to emerge as an economic hub contributing to Nagaland’s GDP.
He also called upon scientists to extend research and training support, stressing that sustainable agriculture and entrepreneurship are key to long-term economic transformation.

Deputy CM Yanthungo Patton, the chief host, lauded the festival for uniting diverse stakeholders to advance rural development. Referring to Wokha as the “land of plenty,” he praised Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and local farmers for their innovation and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to creating livelihood opportunities through agriculture.

Deputy Commissioner Vineet Kumar, IAS, outlined the festival’s origin and its alignment with the One District One Product (ODOP) initiative. Highlighting Wokha’s reputation for quality banana cultivation, he spoke about future plans and challenges, stressing technology-driven agricultural growth.

Other dignitaries, including Agriculture Production Commissioner V. Shashank Shekhar, IAS, and ICAR RC–NEH Director Dr. S. Hazarika, urged active youth participation and called the Banana Festival a “symbol of unity in diversity.” TRIFED Managing Director M. Raja Murugan underscored the importance of marketing and value addition for tribal economic empowerment.

The festival features over 100 stalls showcasing banana species, by-products, and rural innovations. Launches included:

Yuthi Delights (local brand)

Banana Growers Network

Banana Chocolate

Lotha Dialect Information Brochure

KVK-Wokha Information Brochure

Cultural performances by the Nrung Longidang Village Cultural Troupe and fun competitions such as banana-eating and salad-making added a festive flair.

Following the inaugural ceremony, a National Workshop on Banana Plantation, Production, Value Addition, and Marketing was held under the theme “Envisioning 360° Banana Hill Ecosystem – Science, Policy, Market and Finance in Action.” Experts discussed integrated approaches to sustainable banana cultivation and ecosystem development in hill regions.

As the festival continues until October 24, it will host buyer-seller meets, technical training sessions, and interactive forums designed to promote agricultural entrepreneurship and strengthen rural livelihoods.