The Chief Minister of Nagaland, Neiphiu Rio inaugurated the Millet Festival 2023 at the culmination of International Year of Millet (IYoM) at Organic Pavilion, Naga Heritage Village, Kisama on 2nd December 2023 as special guest. The programme was organized by the Department of Agriculture.
Rio in his greetings expressed happiness over the participation in the culmination of International Year of Millet 2023 which was jointly announced by United Nations and the Government of India, for its requirement not only in India but also around the world. He said, since the world is facing food shortages because of climate change and unpredictable seasons which directly impact the harvest. He further expressed his happiness to the farmers of Nagaland for cultivation of millet especially in the eastern part of the state. He hoped that with the culmination of international year of millet, its cultivation will increase in the coming years.
He then encouraged farmers to spread good quality seeds to other farmers in the state where the Department of Agriculture will take the initiatives. He lamented that even though the state is blessed of being a literate and educated state especially in technical field but it still lacks progressive farmers.
Advisor, Agriculture, Mhathung Yanthan in his short speech appreciated the staff of the Department of Agriculture and the efforts of the farmers, crop scientists and policy makers for promoting millet from the neglected crop to regain its rightful place in agricultural practices. Lots of activities have been taken up by the department focusing on health benefits of millet, environmental advantages and economic potentials of millets which motivates and encourages the farmers. The demand of millets basing on its versatility is considered as a super food basing on its nutrient content is increasing in the urban areas thereby motivated the research institutions to develop climate resilient varieties of the millets. He also applauded the interest of the private companies for the contractual farming looking at the promises of the millet farming. The GI registration of the millet is underway and the government is focusing on it, after which millet farming will have lots of potentials in our state.
Several category of awards on cultivation of millet has been awarded: Chingmei Village, Tuensang under the best category award, Excellence category was booked by Pessao Village Mon, Good category was awarded to Chipur Village Noklak, Best millet award was bagged by Women folks of Thuvopisu & Chozuba, Excellent millet was won by Tseu Badze, Chiechama, Millet Sister Meluri won Good Millet SHG, Best individual millet farmer won by Chabao Hamlong from Tobu Village, Excellent individual millet award goes to Senjang of Chingmei Village Tuensang and Good individual millet award was won by Shingnyu of Chipur village Noklak.
Voice from the field was delivered by Wekoweu Thushan, State coordinator, NEN while Report on IYoM 2023 and Millet Sisters from meluri presented folk song on millet cultivation and harvest which was followed by release of Policy Brief by the special guest.
(Thungti Chang IA & Sepikiu S Sangtam IA)
