Wokha: Nagaland’s Wokha District, popularly known as the “Land of Plenty” for its fertile lands and favourable agro-climatic conditions, is set to host its maiden Banana Festival from October 22 to 24.
More than just a celebration of the fruit, the event will mark the district’s ambitious effort to turn banana cultivation into a sustainable, value-added enterprise that benefits local farmers and strengthens Wokha’s agricultural identity.
Highlighting the district’s vision, Vineet Kumar, IAS, Deputy Commissioner of Wokha and Vice-Chairman of the District Planning and Development Board (DPDB), remarked, “Wokha is abundantly blessed with natural resources, good weather, and hardworking people. This festival will serve as a starting point for our five-year vision for banana cultivation.”
Under the One District One Product (ODOP) initiative, banana has replaced fish as Wokha’s flagship product. A five-year vision document for banana development, launched by Dr. Jitender Singh, Minister of State for Science and Technology, aims to modernise cultivation practices, enhance value addition, and improve market connectivity.
To put this vision into action, a baseline survey has been completed and a model block identified to pilot modern techniques. Wokha has also collaborated with the ICAR–National Research Centre for Banana (NRCB) and the Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (CTCRI), Kerala. Selected farmers have undergone 10-day training programmes to learn advanced farming, post-harvest management, and value-added product development.
The idea for the Banana Festival took shape during DPDB deliberations. According to Kumar, “we wanted a product that truly represents our farmers. Wokha produces the largest share of bananas in Nagaland, cultivated across almost every part of the district. It was only natural that banana should become our identity crop.”
The upcoming three-day festival will blend education with celebration. Over 30 technical institutions from across India are expected to participate. The event will feature buyer-seller meets, training sessions, awareness campaigns, and fun competitions, all designed to promote the banana as a commercial crop with multiple uses beyond the fruit itself.
Our larger goal, Kumar said, is to help farmers evolve into entrepreneurs. We want them to see every part of the banana plant from peel to pseudostem as an opportunity for income generation.”
Currently, bananas are grown over 864 hectares in Wokha, producing about 11,500 metric tonnes annually. Unlike other seasonal crops, banana cultivation ensures year round income and food security for thousands of households. To enhance marketing and visibility, the administration plans to introduce branding, barcoding, packaging, and certification for Wokha bananas, as well as explore e-commerce platforms like Amazon Karigar, Flipkart Samarth, and ONDC.
Further, a Banana Agri-Business Incubation Centre will be established at ICAR-KVK Wokha with support from NABARD, encouraging innovation, entrepreneurship, and zero-waste practices. Market linkages with APEDA, TRIFED, NERAMAC, and private buyers are also being pursued.
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The district’s Vision 2030 plan outlines a three-phase approach: Phase I – Develop Wozhuro Block as a model cluster and launch the Banana Festival. Phase II – Expand to more blocks and set up incubation and cold storage facilities. Phase III – Promote district-wide adoption of high-yielding varieties, diversify value-added production, and enter national and international markets.
In his message to local farmers, Kumar encouraged active participation wherein he stated that, this festival is just the beginning. With unity and determination, banana can one day become to Wokha what tea is to Assam.
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