Itanagar, April 30: The North East Centre for Technology Application and Reach on Thursday inaugurated a Common Facility Centre (CFC) in East Siang district under the PM-DevINE scheme of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region, marking a step towards promoting sustainable livelihoods through agricultural waste utilisation.
The facility has been established as part of the “NECTAR Livelihood Improvement Project – A Value Chain on Utilization of Banana Pseudostem for Value-Added Products,” which focuses on converting discarded banana pseudostem into commercially viable products such as natural fibre, biodegradable sheets and handmade paper.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Tenzing Norbu Thongdok, along with former Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Gegong Apang and former Union Minister Omak Apang. Senior officials including A. Dhanalakshmi, Deputy Commissioner Sonalika Jiwani and Assam Science and Technology Department Special Secretary P. L. N. Raju were also present.
Addressing the gathering, NECTAR Director General Arun Kumar Sarma said the initiative is designed to tackle agricultural waste management while generating income opportunities for rural communities. He noted that the model has potential for replication across the Northeast, combining environmental sustainability with economic development.
Thongdok highlighted the importance of value addition to local resources, stating that technology-driven interventions, when combined with skill development, can significantly enhance rural incomes and foster sustainable industrial growth. He added that such centres would support grassroots entrepreneurship and contribute to the vision of an “Aatmanirbhar North East.”
Gegong Apang said the project reflects how technology can be integrated with traditional practices to empower farmers and youth, while Omak Apang emphasised its potential to create eco-friendly enterprises with market and tourism linkages.
A. Dhanalakshmi underlined the role of science-led innovation in regional development, noting that the project demonstrates effective translation of research into practical applications benefiting farmers and entrepreneurs.
Following the inauguration, dignitaries inspected the facility and observed live demonstrations of banana fibre extraction machinery. They also interacted with local entrepreneurs, farmers and self-help groups associated with the initiative.
Officials said the centre has been designed to focus on technology deployment, skill development, capacity building and enterprise promotion. The East Siang unit is among twelve such Common Facility Centres planned under the PM-DevINE initiative, reflecting a broader push towards inclusive, technology-driven development and sustainable resource utilisation in the Northeast.
