Nagaland: Villagers busy with paddy transplantation amid lockdown

Drought-like situation badly affects farmers

Our Correspondent
Mezoma, June 15 (EMN): Agriculture being the major economic activity in Nagaland, people in the rural areas have been busy keeping themselves engaged in farming and paddy cultivation amidst the Covid-induced lockdown.

In Kohima, some people staying in urban areas too have joined the villagers to participate in agricultural activities to keep themselves fit as well as have healthy food during the pandemic.

Farmers in Mezoma, a village under the western Angami region and situated about 20 km away from the state capital, are currently engaged in transplantation of paddy seedlings in their fields.

Farmers told Eastern Mirror on Tuesday that with the onset of the lockdown, family members and close ones have come together to participate in the agricultural work.

An elderly woman, who was working in her paddy field, said that people of Mezamo transplant paddy seedlings in the month of June and begin harvesting in the month of October.

Theja Thomas Khawakhrie, a youth member from the village, observed that families, friends, siblings and relatives are able to meet again by actively participating in agricultural work following the lockdown imposed by the government to tackle the transmission of Covid-19.

"Though we don't like lockdown, there are some positive sides about it as our families are able to unite while more people are coming together to go to our paddy fields while observing necessary SOPs," he said, adding that many people, including students staying outside the state could come home and participate in traditional agricultural practices.

It may be noted that all agriculture and allied activities have been exempted by the government from the purview of the lockdown restriction.

Khawakhrie, who lives in Kohima, informed that people coming from the state capital are also being allowed to work in the fields though they are advised not to mingle with the people living in the village.

Meanwhile, it was learnt that paddy cultivation work has also started in the southern and northern Angami regions but some farmers are unable to begin the transplantation process due to water scarcity.

Official sources also informed that Nagaland is facing a drought-like situation which has badly affected the farmers.

It may be mentioned that rice is the staple food of the people in the state.