Nagaland needs to adopt scientific, modern farming, says Nagaland CM

KISAMA — Taking cognisance of Nagaland being a consumer society, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Saturday underscored the need for the state to adopt scientific and modern farming methods to become food self-sufficiency.

Highlighting the global food security concerns influenced by polity, climate change, shifts in seasons and rainfall patterns, which ultimately affect the farmers, the chief minister reminded that Nagaland and other Northeastern states rely on food grain supplies from mainland India.

Rio was speaking at the inaugural programme of the Millet Festival at the Organic Pavilion, Naga Heritage Village Kisama, organised by the department of Agriculture, as part of the culmination of the International Year of Millets (IYoM) 2023, Nagaland Chapter.

Maintaining that Nagaland has a literate and educated society with technically trained personnel in different disciplines, he however lamented that these trained personnel are not utilising their knowledge to become progressive farmers.

He emphasised on the need to incorporate modern farming with technical knowledge and scientific research, in order to enhance production and attain self-sufficiency in food.

Stressing on the importance of self-sufficiency, the chief minister challenged the professionally educated individuals to venture into meat and milk production, to reduce reliance on imports.

Expressing delight that farmers, especially from the eastern areas of Nagaland, are cultivating traditional crops like millets, Rio urged the farmers from other areas to start cultivating millets.

He further emphasised on the Agriculture department’s role in purchasing and distributing quality seeds to encourage farming in all sectors.

Advisor for Agriculture, Mhathung Yanthan, in his speech, highlighted the resurgence of millets in diet and agricultural practices.

Pointing out the increase in millets production from 12,000 to 19,000 hectares during IYoM 2023, Yanthan said the manifold increase in demand of millet is also positively impacting the livelihood of farmers.

Yanthan also informed that there are some companies which are willing to undertake contractual millet farming in Nagaland and assured the government’s support in different aspects.

He further said that department has already started Geographical Indication (GI) registration for four prominent varieties of millet which are indigenous and are endemic to Nagaland. The registration is likely to be completed by early next year, he added.

Ketsukha Kath, Joint Director of Agriculture, presented a report on IYoM 2023 while ‘Voice from the field’ was shared by Wekoweu Tsuhah, State Co-ordinator, North East Network (NEN).

New Phor village presented a millet song with demonstration of millet harvest. The programme was led by Temsuinla, Additional Director of Agriculture and M Ben Yanthan Director of Agriculture, delivered vote of thanks.

On the occasion, the chief minister released the policy brief ‘Revitalising Millets in Northeast India,’ published by the University of Reading, UK, and Himalayan University Consortium Thematic Working Group on Mountain Agriculture.

Rio also presented awards and cash prizes to villages, SHGs and individuals pioneering in millet cultivation.

Award winners

• Best millet village category: Chingmei Village, Tuensang district (INR 50,000)

• Excellent category: Pessao village, Mon district (INR 30,000)

• Good category: Chipur village, Noklak district (INR 20,000)

• Best millet SHG: Women Society Thuvopisu village, Phek district (INR 30,000)

• Excellent millet SHG: Tseü Badze SHG, Chiechama village, Kohima district (INR 20,000)

• Good millet SHG: Millet Sisters of Meluri, Phek district (INR 15,000)

• Best individual millet farmer: Chabao Hamlong from Tobu village, Mon district (INR 20,000)

• Excellent individual millet farmer: Senjang from Chingmei village, Mon district (INR 15,000)

• Good individual millet farmer- Shingyoa from Chipur village, Noklak district (INR 10,000)

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