Mokokchung Farmers Lead the Way with Compostable Cassava Bioplastics

Women’s Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in the targeted villages are also being supported to engage in cassava cultivation as part of their income generation activities.

In Mokokchung district, Nagaland, smallholder farmers from ten villages are pioneering a sustainable shift by adopting compostable bioplastic bags made from cassava starch. This innovative approach is addressing the challenges associated with the limited impact of single-use plastic bans, which have struggled due to the scarcity of viable alternatives.

The North East Centre for Technology Application and Reach (NECTAR) has supported this initiative, which involves the production of bioplastic bags from cassava starch (Manihot esculenta). Ecostarch, a local MSME based in Nagaland, has established a facility in Mokokchung to manufacture these eco-friendly bags. To support this venture, Ecostarch is engaging farmers within a 30-40 km radius of the facility, guiding them in cassava cultivation. These farmers have already begun planting, with the first harvest expected in about a year.

Currently, the facility produces around 3 tons of bioplastic bags per month, and market demand suggests the need for increased production. This model is fostering the development of 'cassava villages,' boosting the local economy and generating employment opportunities for youth. Farmers are forming groups to explore alternative livelihoods through cassava farming and receiving training and resources to enhance their cultivation efforts.

Women’s Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in the targeted villages are also being supported to engage in cassava cultivation as part of their income generation activities. Ecostarch's long-term goal is to expand its biodegradable films and bags manufacturing unit, creating more local jobs in areas such as raw material cleaning, sorting, and product packaging.

This initiative is not only promoting environmental sustainability by creating a greener plastic economy but is also driving economic growth and employment in rural areas. The project is transforming each village into a dynamic, self-sustaining hub, fostering a cyclic economy and providing much-needed economic independence for local farmers.