The ICAR-National Research Centre for Banana (NRCB), Tiruchirappalli, and the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), Chennai, jointly organized an awareness program on "Transforming Waste to Wealth: Unlocking the Value of Banana Fibre" at ICAR-NRCB, Tiruchirappalli, on October 23, 2024. This initiative aims to empower rural communities by training them in banana fiber extraction, enabling them to start their own businesses leading to circular economy. The program aligns with the Gramodyog Vikas Yojana (GVY) scheme under KVIC, which focuses on promoting village industries through technological modernization, training, and other support services. As part of this initiative, KVIC will distribute machinery and tools for banana fiber extraction, supported by the Handmade Paper and Fiber Industry (HMPFI). NRCB will provide technical assistance throughout the training. The training will consist of two batches of 10 artisans each, spanning 12 days. At the conclusion of the program, each batch will be awarded a Banana Fiber Extraction Machine and accessories to facilitate their new business ventures. Dr. J. Suresh, Dean of HC & RI (W), Trichy, highlighted the various items that can be made from banana fibres, including yoga mats, dining table covers, bouquets, sarees, dhotis, purses, handbags, and pen stands. In his special address, Dr. B.N. Suresh, the State Director of KVIC & Dr. Vasi Rajan, Deputy Director of KVIC, provided insights into KVIC and the key components of the Gramodyog Vikas Yojana (GVY) scheme. They elaborated on the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), emphasizing its role in supporting entrepreneurship and job creation in rural areas. They also discussed the structure and objectives of the upcoming 12-day training program for artisans Dr. Selvarajan, Director of NRCB, in his presidential address, emphasized the importance of value addition in the banana industry. He encouraged small business initiatives, such as producing banana stem juice and extracting fibre, highlighting that farmers or local entrepreneurs could engage in these activities without letting valuable resources go to waste. He particularly noted that the present scheme would greatly benefit women by helping them achieve economic independence. He urged participants to form groups and apply the skills learned from the training program to produce banana fibre. Additionally, he stressed that these ventures could provide substantial income opportunities for individuals in rural areas, promoting both economic growth and sustainable practices within the community. A total of 130 women participated and benefited from the awareness program. Additionally, three technical sessions were conducted on Banana Fiber Extraction, Banana Value-Added Products, and their related machinery. Dr. I. Ravi, Principal Scientist, gave the welcome address, and Dr. C. Karpagam, Principal Scientist, delivered the vote of thanks during the event.