A one-day training cum awareness programme on banana fibre organised by Weaving cell, BJP Manipur Pradesh under the aegis of Directorate of Handlooms and Textile, Lamphelpat, Imphal West was held at Khagempalli Panthak Nganapithong Mapal, Imphal West on Sunday.
“Production of banana fibres as handloom and handicraft items could bring a huge change in the economy and growth of Manipur. It is a good example for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India),” intending candidate from Keishamthong assembly constituency Sapam Nishikanta said at the occasion.
Speaking as the chief guest, he said the initiative to promote handlooms and handicraft products with different fabrics such as banana fibre is a good step. The handloom items produced from banana fibre have similar quality as that from silk, he said. If more efforts are given to produce more quality handloom items from banana fibres, then it could bring more economy to the people especially to the women weavers, he added.
He said necessary assistance will be provided to the banana fibre weavers in order to bring out more production and promote the production of handloom and handicraft items of Manipur.
Convenor of state BJP weaver cell L Sorojini said production of handloom and handicraft items from banana fibre was introduced in 2017 for commercial use in Manipur.
As the handloom products made through manual process using banana fibre can bring more fine and quality items, most of the weavers prefer manual process on extraction of banana fibre instead of using machines, she said. Extraction of banana fibres by using machines can produce more fibre without giving much effort of manpower; however, the quality differs as compared to manual production, she added.
She had produced various handicraft and handloom products using banana fibre but the weavers are unable to make much benefit due to lack of marketing knowledge, she said.
Project officer, handloom and textile, Churachandpur Th Ibemhal Devi said every part of a banana tree can be used in various methods, starting from consuming them as vegetables to using them as handloom and handicraft products. The weavers need to be encouraged on production of handloom and handicrafts so that they can easily earn from their home, she added.
About 60 weavers took part in the training cum awareness programme.
After the formal function, master trainer Victoria demonstrated on how to extract banana fibres for making handloom and handicraft products.
