Thchutho Cooperative FPO opens food processing unit in Wokha

Morung Express NewsWokha | August 13The Thchutho Cooperative FPO Ltd. on Tuesday inaugurated a food processing unit at Rachan Colony, Wokha Town, marking a step towards strengthening local value addition, reducing post-harvest losses and creating better market opportunities for farmers.The unit, established with assistance from the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) under the TRIBES Sustainability Plan 2026, comprises a banana chips manufacturing unit, banana beverages unit and lemon food processing unit. The occasion also witnessed the launch of the FPO’s banana chips products.General Manager OIC, NABARD Regional Office, Dimapur, P. Bulte, who attended the programme as the special guest, described food processing as “the need of the hour,” stressing that agricultural produce could achieve better market value only through processing and value addition.He noted that while the facility was presently small in scale, it had the potential to be expanded in the coming years. According to Bulte, the unit could provide farmers with a more stable source of income while simultaneously reducing wastage of agricultural produce.Pointing to the estimated 20–30 percent food wastage in India, he said such processing facilities could contribute towards minimising post-harvest losses by converting surplus and perishable produce into marketable products.Bulte further highlighted the employment potential of the facility, saying its expansion could generate both direct and indirect livelihood opportunities for local youth. He also noted that consumers would benefit from quality locally processed products and greater awareness of their origin and quality.At the same time, he urged the FPO to maintain strict quality control, cautioning that any compromise in product quality could damage the company’s reputation and undermine the goodwill built over the years.Chairman, MEWS and Project Facilitating Agency, Lanchibemo Tsopoe, in his welcome address and progress report on the Sustainability and Exit Plan, acknowledged NABARD’s continued support to the organisation since 2016. He said the assistance had contributed significantly to its development and progress and also expressed gratitude to various line departments for their support to the FPO.Technical Officer (Food Engineering & Technology), ICAR-KVK Wokha, Dr. Thungchano S. Ezung, said the processing facility had the potential to benefit farmers beyond those directly associated with the FPO. She stressed that reducing post-harvest losses would benefit farmers across the district and described the Thchutho FPO as a hardworking organisation.The programme was chaired by Project Manager Amos Odyuo and began with an invocation and special prayer by Pastor, Police Baptist Church, Zuben N. Ngullie. This was followed by the formal inauguration of the processing units and launch of the banana chips products.The programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Chairman, Thchutho Cooperative, Yalumo Ngullie.The programme was attended by Chitebuni Kricho, District Development Manager, NABARD Kohima along with officials from ARCS, Cooperation Department, Wokha, Horticulture Department Wokha, Board of Directors and members of Tchutho FPO.