World Food Day 2025 celebrated at GMS Pfutseromi

DIMAPUR — The National Institute of Technology (NIT) Manipur, in collaboration with the Government Middle School (GMS), Pfutseromi, Phek district, marked World Food Day 2025 on Wednesday, themed “Hand in hand for better foods and a better future”.

According to an update, the event placed the remote school on the world map by registering it with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

The programme was organised as part of the ongoing project “Mainstreaming agrobiodiversity conservation for climate resilience and sustainable livelihoods”, sponsored under the National Mission on Himalayan Studies (NMHS) by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) through the GB Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment.

It aimed to promote awareness of sustainable food systems, traditional crop diversity, and kitchen gardening as a practical approach to food security and climate resilience.

Delivering the inaugural address, Kewekhro Mero, headmaster of Government Middle School, Pfutseromi, highlighted the importance of nurturing responsible food habits among young learners and promoting the use of locally grown produce.

This was followed by a presentation on World Food Day 2025 by Kewekhateu, who elaborated on the year’s global theme and stressed the importance of collective action to ensure food security for all.

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A session on local crops and healthy eating was conducted by Kekhronyile Therie, who encouraged students to appreciate and include indigenous food varieties in their daily diets for better nutrition and long-term sustainability.

Wepeto Kapfo delivered a talk on kitchen gardening as a small business idea, motivating students to view gardening not only as a means to achieve household nutrition but also as a viable source of income and community resilience.

To foster creativity and awareness, a drawing competition led by Thejalhou Mero allowed students to express their ideas on food, health, and sustainability. This was followed by a hands-on gardening session facilitated by Neitsou Mero, during which students participated in planting activities and learned practical skills in soil preparation, composting, and plant care.

The event concluded with a “Pledge for healthy eating” written and recited by the students, symbolising their commitment to nutritious diets, the conservation of local food resources, and the promotion of a sustainable food future.

Speaking about the programme, Dr. Adani Azhoni, head of the Department of Civil Engineering, NIT Manipur, stated that the initiative was part of NIT Manipur’s outreach to promote agrobiodiversity conservation for climate resilience and sustainable livelihoods in the Himalayan region.

He acknowledged the contributions of co-principal investigators Dr. Chubbamenla Jamir of Native Foodscape and Dr. Mala Narang, both based in Delhi, for their collaboration and guidance under the project.

The celebration brought together students, educators, and community members in a spirit of collaboration and learning, reinforcing the shared responsibility of building a sustainable, resilient, and food-secure future.