Exhibition showcases value-added products from soft-shelled Job's Tears
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 31 2026: An exhibition of value-added products derived from soft-shelled Job's Tears "Chaning Athotpa" was successfully held today at the Manipur University Canteen premises, highlighting innovative efforts to enhance the socio- economic prospects of farmers in Manipur.

The project is led by Dr Thangjam Robert Singh, Associate Professor, Department of Botany, Manipur University, with Dr Tapan Kumar Mondal of ICAR-National Institute for Plant Biotechnology serving as Co-operating Centre Principal Investigator, said a press release.

The exhibition was inaugurated by Professor N Lokendra Singh, Vice-Chancellor of Manipur University, in the presence of Professor N Mohilal Singh, Dean, School of Life Sciences; Professor Kananbala Sarangthem, Head, Department of Botany; Dr Thangjam Robert Singh, Principal Investigator of the project; Thangjam Joykumar Singh of Thangjam Agro Limited; and representatives from Machang Bakery, Thaddeus Nutraceuticals, and PB Enterprises, along with other invited guests and delegates.

The event was organized under the sponsored project of the ICAR-National Institute for Plant Biotechnology (IARI Campus, New Delhi) titled "Processing and Product Formulation of Job's Tears for Socio-economic Benefit of Farmers in Manipur".

This marks the second phase (2025-26) of the initiative, following the successful establishment of a Job's Tears village seed bank during 2024-25.The ongoing phase focuses on developing diversified, value-added products from Job's Tears to promote its commercial utilization.

Over the past year, extensive trials have resulted in a variety of innovative products, including cookies, muffins, buns, doughnuts, bread, nutrimeal, puff, herbal drinks, alcoholic beverages, porridge, and mushroom spawning substrates.

The initiative has been implemented in collaboration with Thangjam Agro Limited, Machang Bakery, Thaddeus Nutraceuticals, PB Enters prises, and the villagers of Khurkhul, emphasizing a strong partnership between academia, industry, and local communities.

The exhibition provided a platform to demonstrate the potential of Job's Tears as a versatile crop, paving the way for entrepreneurship development and sustainable livelihood opportunities for farmers in the region.

Comment