STRY trainees encouraged to become master-trainers

Dimapur, February 14 (MExN): The State Agricultural Management and Extension Training Institute (SAMETI), Medziphema in association with National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE), Hyderabad organised a Skill Training of Rural Youth programme on post-harvest processing and packaging of fruits and vegetables from the February 7 to 12 to impart employable skills to unemployed rural youths of the age group 18 - 40 years.

During the inaugural programme, Dr Watimongla Jamir, Director SAMETI and Principal IETC encouraged the participants to participate in the training diligently and become master trainers for rural youths in their communities.

Resource persons for the training programme were Tiajungla Longchar, Deputy Project Director, SAMETI and State Coordinator, STRY Nagaland; Er Pute Phesao, Director Pristine Foods, Nagaland; Nukuzo Phesao, Proprietor Warehouse 103, Nagaland and Bikash L Singh, Marketing Manager, Pristine Foods, Nagaland, a press release informed on Monday.

The training program covered topics on introduction to post-harvest processing and its importance, packaging and marketing of processed products, types of packaging materials, sterilization and hands-on practical sessions on preparation of various products like chilli oil, star fruit candy, kiwi candy, vegetable pickles, ginger powder, and weighing and sealing of finished products. 

The participants visited Pristine Foods, Dimapur where they were introduced to and shown the working of different kinds of food processing machinery, equipment and packaging materials like dehydrators, slicers, sealers, grinders, liquid fillers, glass jars, glass bottles and bio-degradable opaque bags.

H Mhonthung Merry, Deputy Project Director, SAMETI pronounced the vote of thanks during the valedictory programme which concluded with distribution of certificates and training handouts to the participants. A total of 15 rural youths were trained, the release stated.