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ITANAGAR: In a landmark initiative aimed at enhancing rural livelihoods, nutritional security, and women's economic empowerment, a three-day programme culminating in the inauguration of a women technology park (WTP) millet processing unit and a hands-on training workshop concluded successfully on Friday at Dadam Village in Tirap district of Arunachal Pradesh.
The project is part of a broader effort to build capacity among rural women through technology adoption for the processing and value addition of millets and under-utilised crops.
The millet processing unit, inaugurated on July 9 by Khonsa West MLA Chakat Aboh, is set to serve as a dedicated facility for empowering local self-help groups (SHGs). It will provide practical training in post-harvest processing, packaging, and value addition of millets, key to promoting food security and climate-resilient agriculture in the region.
Implemented under a project sanctioned by the SEED division of the union science and technology department, the initiative is being carried out by the DBT-APSCS&T Centre of Excellence for Bioresources and Sustainable Development (CoE-BRSD), Kimin, in collaboration with Khonsa-based Kindle Foundation.
Speaking at the inauguration, Aboh encouraged women to make full use of the facility to explore millet-based small-scale industries and transform it into a model of community-driven development.
She stressed that such grassroots interventions could improve both household nutrition and income, especially in remote areas like Dadam.
Tirap deputy commissioner Techu Aran in his address underscored the nutritional and medicinal value of millets, encouraging participants to consider millet processing not only as a dietary practice but also as an income-generating opportunity.
ADO Nowang Wangnow urged SHG members to adopt sustainable farming practices and build strong market linkages to promote value-added millet products.
Project Investigator Dr Joram Aku, Scientist-B at DBT-APSCS&T CoE-BRSD, highlighted the long-term benefits of millet promotion for women-led entrepreneurship. She emphasised the importance of local ownership and skill-building in creating a resilient, self-sufficient rural economy.
The inaugural session was also attended by local officials, village leaders, and SHG members.
Following the inauguration, a workshop cum hands-on training on millet processing and value addition was conducted from July 9 to 11.
A total of 23 participants from local SHGs were trained by Juri Sonowal and Dulumoni Regon from Ayang Trust, in Assam's Majuli district.
The sessions included practical demonstrations on processing foxtail millet into cakes, laddoos, cookies, and other market-ready products. Participants were also taught hygienic food preparation, basic packaging, and product presentation techniques suitable for local markets.
The programme concluded with a valedictory session and the distribution of certificates to both participants and trainers.
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