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Dimapur, May 7 (EMN): Department of Women Resource Development from Nagaland is showcasing its Myki products at the ongoing three-day 2nd Northeast Food Show in Shillong dubbed as ‘Northeast’s biggest food innovation exhibition,’ which got underway on May 5 at Polo Ground.
The event was inaugurated by Meghalaya Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma, and Sikkim Chief Minister, Prem Singh Tamang, in the presence of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare minister, Banteidor Lyngdoh, and Sikkim Tourism minister, Bidu Singh Panth.
A DIPR report informed that the brand ‘Myki’ is showcasing 14 different food products of women farmers from Nagaland along with apparels and accessories like face masks, aprons, carry bags etc. Food products at display and sale included Naga King Chilli, dried bamboo shoots, pineapple candy, wild apple candy, dried gooseberry, Anishi powder, roasted groundnut, Roselle, popped rice, ginger powder, turmeric powder, kholar, sumac powder and millet.
It explained that ‘Myki’ means women or the female gender in Nagamese. It, however, added that if one takes a look at the two syllables separately, the syllable ‘My’ relatively means ‘Mine’ or ‘Myself’ in English, while the syllable ‘Ki’ coincidentally means ‘home’ or ‘house’ in all the major Naga dialects. Put together, ‘Myki’ gives the term ‘My Home’ or ‘My House,’ it stated.
It stated that ‘Myki Initiative’ started under the Transformative Livelihood Intervention (TLI) Project in 2006, which was a comprehensive programme for the socio-economic empowerment of women of Nagaland, particularly the rural and urban poor women and the marginalised by facilitating various income-generating activities to enable better and alternative means of livelihoods. The project envisioned building on past experiences, while also bringing in new initiatives.
During the initial years, women farmers/ groups were provided with necessary financial assistance and later various training on food processing were provided including pre and post-harvest management. Eventually, a mini fruit and vegetable processing centre was set up during 2009-10 with the view to facilitate the promotion of the various products of women farmers/ entrepreneurs/ SHG/ societies etc.
Report stated that over the years, the centre located at Meriema has undergone revamping and upscaling with more new interventions by the department to promote better quality products and provide employment opportunities to more women farmers. The centre has been renamed as ‘Food Processing-cum-Resource Centre’ which now supports around 100 women farmers/ entrepreneurs annually who are into mini food processing activities. The centre now produces around 15 ‘Myki’ food products
During 2018-19, the apparels and accessories production programme was conceived to popularise Naga-themed fabrics with modern motifs and designs. It aimed at manufacturing various indigenously designed attires and accessories, including paper carry bags and wrapping papers so designed to avoid the use of plastic bags etc at an affordable prices. It has received accolades from a wide range of people including domestic and foreign tourists over the past years.
‘Myki’ apparels and accessories product included garments, bags, face masks, knitted woolen products, crochet dolls, plastic baskets and accessories.
Report further stated that ‘Myki’ products are put on display and sale during various major events both in and outside state. It is also made available at both the Myki Store in Kohima and Dimapur including some select outlets.