Kohima, Nagaland, October 10, 2026 — Grassroots Enterprise Development Dialogue

Kohima, Nagaland, October 10, 2026 — A Grassroots Enterprise Development Dialogue marked one year of the SIDBI-supported project implemented by REACHA in collaboration with Assam Rifles. The dialogue was held at Oriental College, Kohima, Nagaland.

Over the past year, 253 youth have been technically trained across the following areas in Nagaland in the Bamboo Handicraft Domain through the project - Medziphema, Kikruma, Sakhabama, Jotsoma, Sechu, Kezo Town, Chakabama, Oriental College.

These youth received technical training and guidance to establish both group and individual enterprises in Bamboo Domain and allied value addition.

This effort has already led to the creation of 2 group enterprise (AOP) with 64 members. These have been formed in Medziphema and Kikruma. In addition to the group enterprise, a total of 55 individual MSMEs have been formed. The entire enterprise registration and creation process has been facilitated by the REACHA team under the SIDBI Project with guidance of Assam Rifles. Team is also building market and credit linkages to ensure long-term sustainability.

The Grassroot Dialogue also saw the release of the Bamboo Handicraft project publication.

Commandant, 13Assam Rifles commended SIDBI and REACHA for their commitment to reaching the last mile and strengthening farmer communities, presenting MSME and AOP certifications to participants.

From Oriental College, Principal – Ms. Dr. Watinaro Longkumer commended SIDBI and REACHA for extending the project to Oriental College, and provide training and enterprise creation guidance to 90 youth.

From REACHA, Chief Development Officer Mudit Pant, Project Officer Saurav Kumar, and Project Coordinator Betonika and Chanchi shared the year’s progress and reaffirmed the organization’s vision to empower Nagaland’s communities and prepare them for market readiness.

Trainees from around Nagaland themselves shared their experiences, expressing appreciation for the support and opportunities created through this initiative, which has begun to transform grassroots Bamboo related activities into sustainable enterprise.