Assam Agricultural University Trains Tribal Youth in Natural Fibre Craft

Guwahati: Assam Agricultural University in Jorhat wrapped up a ten-day training course for tribal women and rural youth. The program promoted natural fibre businesses and sustainable livelihoods for Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas 2026. It marks the birth anniversary of tribal freedom fighter Bhagwan Birsa Munda.

The College of Community Science ran the training under the ICAR-NEH Project. They partnered with ICAR-NINFET in Kolkata and Krishi Vigyan Kendra in Dima Hasao. Dr. Ardhendu Chakraborty, head of KVK Dima Hasao, managed trainee participation with help from Subject Matter Specialist Darshana Chetia.

Faculty leaders Dr. Nabaneeta Gogoi, Dr. Sunita Boruah, and Dr. Smita Bhuyan directed the sessions. They emphasized the need for value addition and entrepreneurship. As Dr. Gogoi stated, the team focused on the "sustainable utilisation of natural fibres, skill development, value addition and entrepreneurship in rural areas."

Students learned to extract, dye, and weave fibres from banana, pineapple, okra, and jute plants. They turned agricultural waste into sellable goods. Organizers expect this to build local, small-scale industries across the Northeast. Fifty people have now completed the project training. The goal remains simple: boost self-employment and empower rural workers using local resources.