Banana fibre is a source of employment in urban and rural Manipur.
Moirangthem Victoria Devi is a successful entrepreneur from Manipur who designs woven and non-woven fabrics of the fibre obtained from the stem of the banana plant.
She started her work on banana fibre under the guidance of her uncle Devkanta, an agriculture worker.
In 2010, she established her own self-help group, under the name of Labuk Lamhang Shanghalliba Farmer Interest Group.
Since then, Victoria and her team have been working on banana fibre and producing different kinds of items.
Victoria Devi told ANI, “I read it in the newspaper that we can extract fibre from the banana stem and make different products out of it. So, I was thinking how to start. Later, my uncle Devekanta, who is a farmer, suggested I do this business.”
So far, Victoria has imparted training to more than 200 artisans hailing from various nooks and corners of the state.
She has been awarded for her contribution in popularizing banana fibre-made fabrics.
At present, six artisans are working under her and make items like Banana Silk Cloth, bags, flower pots and decoration items.
Malemnganbi Devi, an artisan told ANI, “I joined here because I am interested in producing different kind of products with different designs. Here, we make different items like bag, cloths, decorative items etc.”
Victoria’s success can become an inspiration to educated unemployed youth in the northeast and encourage them to explore new innovative business ideas and become self reliant.