The Nrung Longidang Village Women Organisation organised the Soybean Festival at Tiyi Hall, Wokha town, on 15th November 2025 under the theme “One seed, many stories: Honouring the past, feeding the future.”
Speaking at the event as special guest, District Public Relation Officer (DPRO) Wokha, Lolano Patton, lauded the vision and wisdom of the womenfolk of Nrung Longidang village for their innovative idea. She also acknowledged the support of the men folk, noting that the programme saw equal participation. Patton said the theme captured the essence of soybean as a humble seed that represents nutrition, resilience, innovation, and hope. She stated that as the community honours the past, it also remembers the forefathers and communities who laid the foundation for today’s progress. Looking to the future, she said, means embracing the endless possibilities that one single seed can bring-from food security to economic empowerment. She encouraged the organisers to make the festival an annual event and expressed hope that it would mark the beginning of many success stories for farmers, women groups, and the district. She further advised farmers to adopt large-scale farming with modern technology and government linkages, adding that the festival could eventually be showcased at the Hornbill Festival.
Guest of honour, Branch Manager of NSCB, Wokha, R Asenla Ao commended the womenfolk for introducing a distinctive idea with economic potential. She highlighted the importance of financial literacy and urged participants to avail insurance schemes starting from as low as INR 20 per year, pointing out that many Nagas lag behind in accessing such services. Ao emphasised that the festival resonated with the spirit of women empowerment, which she described as the backbone of family growth, financial security, and national progress.
The programme began with an invocation by Janathung Ezung, Pastor in-charge of N Longidang Baptist Church, followed by a keynote address from Janbeno Murry, chairperson of the N Longidang Village Women Organisation. Greetings were delivered by Thungbeni Ngullie, President of Eloe Hoho. Cultural presentations included folk songs by Chiwothung Yinga and the N Longidang women cultural troupe. The event was chaired by Phyochanbemo Ngullie and Ajanbeni Ezung, with the vote of thanks proposed by Ekonlumi Ezung. The festival also featured sales and exhibitions of soybean and its by-products, along with a buffet feast.
(IA Wokha)
