31/03/2026
An exhibition of value-added products derived from soft-shelled Job’s Tears “Chaning Athotpa” (Coix lacryma-jobi L.) was successfully held today at the Manipur University Canteen premises, highlighting innovative efforts to enhance the socio-economic prospects of farmers in Manipur.
The exhibition was inaugurated by Prof. N. Lokendra Singh, Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor of Manipur University, in the presence of Prof. N. Mohilal Singh, Dean, School of Life Sciences; Prof. Kananbala Sarangthem, Head, Department of Botany; Dr. Thangjam Robert Singh, Principal Investigator of the project; Thangjam Joykumar Singh of Thangjam Agro Limited; and representatives from Machang Bakery, Thaddeus Nutraceuticals, and PB Enterprises, along with other invited guests and delegates.
The event was organized under the sponsored project of the ICAR–National Institute for Plant Biotechnology (IARI Campus, New Delhi) titled “Processing and Product Formulation of Job’s Tears (Coix lacryma-jobi L.) for Socio-economic Benefit of Farmers in Manipur.” This marks the second phase (2025–26) of the initiative, following the successful establishment of a Job’s Tears village seed bank during 2024–25.
The ongoing phase focuses on developing diversified, value-added products from Job’s Tears to promote its commercial utilization. Over the past year, extensive trials have resulted in a variety of innovative products, including cookies, muffins, buns, doughnuts, bread, nutrimeal, puff, herbal drinks, alcoholic beverages, porridge, and mushroom spawning substrates.
