Training on "Natural packaging for agriculture and horticulture organic products from bamboo" wraps up

IMPHAL, Jan 20
An awareness cum training programme on "Natural packaging for agriculture & horticulture organic products from bamboo" which began on January 15, 2024, concluded today at Bamboo Complex, Patsoi Part-I, Imphal West.
The awareness cum training programme was jointly organised by the South Asia Bamboo Foundation (SAbF) and Manipur State Rural Livelihood Mission (MSRLM), Department of Rural Development, Government of Manipur with the objective of creating awareness about Bamboo and its importance for sustainable development particularly in packaging of fruits, vegetable and other products as plastic substitute, said a release issued by SAbF.
The programme was sponsored by NECTAR (North East Centre for Technology Application and Reach), Government of India.
The opening ceremony held on January 15 was attended by Satyaranjan Das, Project Supervisor, NECTAR; Bidhan Das, Regional Director, IIP, Kolkata; and N Bandana, Director, MRLM among others.
Kamesh Salam, founder & executive director SAbF, delivered the welcome address while the vote of thanks was proposed by Dr Gunoy Thokchom, Programme Manager, MRLM.
The training programme included both Technical & Practical sessions presented by experts from BCDI c/o NECTAR. Demonstration on bamboo treatment & processing was also shown during the programme by experts.
Virtual presentations on 'Bamboo packaging design' by CS Sushant, in-charge Bamboo Centre, NID, Bangalore and on 'Aspects of commercial packaging with bamboo as a biodegradable alternative' by Bidhan Das, Regional Director, IIP, Kolkata were the other highlights of the programme.
More than twenty products made & designed by trainees during the training programme were shown at the closing ceremony.
Practical session, interaction with trainees and distribution of certificates were conducted on the final day of the training programme.
The closing ceremony was attended by Thokchom Lellel, District Coordinator, MSRLM; Satyaranjan Das; Dr Gunoy Thokchom; Khamba Ronglo, State Mission Manager, Non Farm Livelihoods, MSRLM; Kamesh Salam and Upadaya Lourembam, Block Coordinator, MSRLM among others.
Altogether, 31 trainees took part in the training programme. They were all members of SHG (Self Help Groups) or their family members promoted by MSRLM.