10-day skill development training programme begins at KVK Thoubal
Source: The Sangai Express

Thoubal, February 21 2026: A 10-day Skill Development Training Programme on "Extraction, Processing, Value Addition and Product Development from Pineapple Leaf Fibre" commenced on Friday at the Training Hall of Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Thoubal.

The programme, organised by the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Thoubal, is being attended by farmers representing various Farmers' Production Company Ltd (FPCs) under KVK Thoubal.

The initiative aims to enhance farmers' knowledge and technical skills in utilising pineapple leaf fibre for income generation and sustainable entrepreneurship.

The inaugural function was attended by District Agriculture Officer, Thoubal, RK Umakanta Singh; Project Manager, District Handloom and Textiles, Thoubal, L Dasumati Devi; and Head In-charge and Senior Scientist of KVK Thoubal, Dr Kh Premlata Devi, as presidium members.

During the inaugural technical session, L Dasumati Devi spoke on various schemes and opportunities available under the Handloom and Textiles Department for weavers and entrepreneurs.

In her keynote address, Subject Matter Specialist (Home Science) RK Lembisana highlighted that pineapple leaves, which had long remained a wasted and unused by-product in Manipur, have now emerged as a valuable resource.

She said that after KVK Thoubal conducted tests and trials using the N1NFET SATHI accelerator from Kolkata, it was found that yam could be produced from pineapple leaves.

To strengthen farmers' skills and promote value addition, the training is being organised for the third time.

The training programme features a series of technical sessions and practical demonstrations by experts from various institutions.

Resource persons include SMS (Plant Protection) L Boris; SMS (Home Science) RK Lembisana; Agriculture Extension PA S Prabin; Ng Joykumar from the College of Food Technology, CAU Imphal; KVK Thoubal Head Dr Kh Premlata Devi; Horticulture and Soil Conservation HOD Dr Y Santosh Singh; SMS (PBG Department) Dr Chuwang Hijam; Deputy Director, MSME Technology Imphal, Dr Sinam Yoirentomba Meitei; and Principal Scientist (FMP), In-charge R&D Unit and Nodal Officer NEH, ICAR NINFET Kolkata, Dr VB Shambhu.

The sessions will cover topics such as weed management, post-harvest technology, economic and constraint analysis of pineapple cultivation, fibre extraction and value addition, packaging, labelling and branding of products, preparation of business plans, and demonstration of pineapple leaf fibre yam making and wrapping.

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