CFC Launched Under PM-DevINE Scheme
The Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) took a major step toward strengthening rural livelihoods with the inauguration of a Common Facility Centre (CFC) at Lefunga village in Tripura’s West district. The facility was inaugurated on Thursday by Angshuman Dey, Joint Secretary, Ministry of DoNER, under the Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North East (PM-DevINE) scheme.
The North East Centre for Technology Application and Reach (NECTAR) organized the inauguration programme for the project titled “A Value Chain on Utilization of Banana Pseudo Stem for Value-Added Products.” The Ministry of DoNER is funding the initiative to promote sustainable livelihoods and boost rural economies across the Northeast.
Read More: Meghalaya BJP Meets Rajnath Singh Over Shillong Cantonment Issues
Innovative Project with Regional Impact
Addressing the gathering, Joint Secretary Angshuman Dey described the project as an innovative intervention designed by NECTAR and fully supported by the Ministry of DoNER. He said the initiative would establish 12 such Common Facility Centres across the Northeast.
“The total project cost is Rs 67 crore. Each centre requires about Rs 5.4 crore,” Dey said. He added that the Lefunga unit marks an important milestone in turning agricultural waste into economic assets.
Employment Creation at the Core
Dey stressed that employment generation remains the primary objective of the PM-DevINE initiative. Each CFC will operate around 20 machines and directly employ at least 20 people.
“These centres will not only provide direct jobs but also create indirect employment through allied activities such as raw material collection and logistics,” he said.
Full Utilisation of Banana Plant
The project focuses on using the entire banana plant, which grows abundantly in villages and forest areas but often goes to waste. Traditionally, banana stems and flowers are discarded after harvest.
“This initiative will make it possible to use the entire banana plant and create significant value,” Dey noted. The centres will convert banana pseudo stems into liquid fertilizers, organic nutrients, fibre, and bio-gas.
Scope for Organic Farming and Green Products
With growing demand for organic farming inputs, the CFCs will produce liquid fertilizers and natural nutrients. Dey said these products hold tremendous market potential.
He also highlighted the future demand for banana fibre, calling it a sustainable and trendy material. “Natural fibre will open new opportunities for rural entrepreneurship and create large-scale employment,” he added.
NECTAR Outlines Project Vision
NECTAR Director General Dr. Arun Kumar Sarma welcomed dignitaries, villagers, and students at the event. He said NECTAR plans to set up 12 CFCs across the Northeast, including two in Tripura.
Each centre will focus on three core products—banana fibre, liquid fertilizer, and bio-gas—while allowing flexibility for local value addition. In Tripura, NECTAR is working with ICAR Kolkata to develop customized loom-making machines to support the state’s strong handicraft sector.
Other centres in the region will explore paper bag manufacturing and eco-friendly products using banana fibre.
Strong Market Potential Highlighted
Dr. Sarma highlighted the growing market for sustainable products. He said India’s paper bag industry is currently valued at USD 700 million and is expected to cross USD 1 billion by 2030.
He added that the liquid fertilizer units will produce nearly 10,000 litres every 21 days. These units will support NECTAR’s organic farming programme, which connects nearly 25,000 farmers across the Northeast.
Agreements Signed and Materials Distributed
Each Common Facility Centre will directly employ at least 20 individuals and generate significant indirect employment in raw material supply chains. Dr. Sarma thanked the Ministry of DoNER and the Department of Science and Technology for backing the initiative, calling it a sustainable livelihood model for the region.
During the programme, officials signed and exchanged a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) between NECTAR and the implementing agency CTRD. Authorities also handed over soil testing kits, training materials, and organic certificates to five master trainers.
Dignitaries Attend the Event
Several eminent personalities attended the inauguration, including Dr. Usha Dixit, Scientist-F, AI Division, Department of Science and Technology; Dr. Prabha Sakar Shukla, Vice-Chancellor of NorthEastern Hill University (NEHU); and Dr. Debasish Sen, Principal of the College of Agriculture, Agartala.
Also Read:Mizoram Tourism Sees Surge After Rail Link – Prime 24 Seven