Women Learn to Create Crafts from Corn Husks in Tanahun

Tanahun. Until a few times ago, the husks that piled up in the fields or courtyards after harvesting maize were useless to most, but now those very husks have become a medium of skill, creativity, and income for women.

Meanwhile, a training program that started in Damauli on making various materials from maize husks has added new enthusiasm among women. In the five-day training that began here on Tuesday, organized by Janabhavana Newa: Khal Misah: Puch, Damauli, and financially supported by the Ward Office of Byas Municipality-3, 40 women are participating.

Participants in the training have started practicing molding, joining, and making decorative materials from maize husks in various shapes.

Ward Chairman Anup Rana said that the training was organized with the objective of making women self-reliant by utilizing the wasted maize husks. He stated that after the training, practical practice will also be encouraged, and the office will provide necessary support for the marketing of the produced materials. "It is not enough to just learn a skill, one must be able to transform it into a business. We will support this work," said Ward Chairman Rana.

Former Mayor of Byas Municipality, Taraprasad Shrestha, said that the training will be fruitful if skills are linked to income generation. He also urged for the continuation of such programs to benefit from locally wasted materials.

Vice-President of Gandaki Women Entrepreneurs Association, Nirmala Malla, said that even a common item like maize husk can provide good income. "If creativity and hard work are added, even wasted materials can become opportunities. Therefore, it is necessary to take the training as an opportunity and become self-reliant," she said.

Ward Secretary Savitri Acharya said that the ward office regularly conducts skill-based training targeting various groups in the community. She stated that such programs increase women's confidence and create self-employment opportunities.

President of Janabhavana Newa: Khal Misah: Puch, Rashmila Tamrakar, said that the training was organized with the objective of connecting women with economic activities and creating local employment.

Secretary Sarita Shrestha said that the training was started by selecting members from mother groups, community development organizations, and the Puch. The training, which will run until Jestha 23, is being conducted by Bimal Shrestha and Sushila Shrestha.