The Department of Women Resource Development, Government of Nagaland is showcasing its Myki products during the 2nd North East Food Show, at Shillong which kicked off on 5th May 2022 at Polo Ground, Shillong. Being dubbed “North East’s Biggest Food Innovation Exhibition”, the event was inaugurated by Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma and Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang on Thursday at Polo Grounds, Shillong in presence of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare Minister Banteidor Lyngdoh and Sikkim Tourism Minister Bidu Singh Panth and will continue till 7th May 2022.
The Brand “Myki” is showcasing 14 different food products of the women farmers of Nagaland along with apparels and accessories like face masks, aprons, carry bags, etc. Food Products at Display and sale include 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
For the unversed, “Myki means women or the female gender in Nagamese. However, if one takes a look at the two syllables separately, the syllable ‘My’ relatively means ‘Mine’ or ‘Myself’ in English. Syllable ‘Ki’ coincidentally means ‘home’ or ‘house’ in all the major Naga dialects. Put together, Myki gives us the term ‘My Home’ or ‘My House’-
So for all practical purposes, a home or a place where women can come together to find the common ground and take up meaningful and sustainable livelihood activities together.”
Myki Initiative started under the Transformative Livelihood Intervention (TLI) Project in 2006, which is a comprehensive programme for the socio-economic empowerment of women of Nagaland, particularly the rural and urban poor women and the marginalized, by facilitating various income-generating activities to enable better and alternative means of livelihoods. The project envisions building on past experiences, while also bringing in new initiatives.
MYKI FOOD PRODUCTS
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 & Vegetable Processing Centre was set up during 2009-10 with the view to facilitate the promotion of the various products of women farmers/entrepreneurs/ SHGs/ societies, etc.
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
MYKI APPARELS & ACCESSORIES
During 2018-19, The Apparels & Accessories Production Programme was conceived to popularize Naga-themed fabrics with modern motifs and designs. It aims 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 very affordable prices and has received accolades from a wide range of people, including domestic and foreign tourists, over the past years.
Opportunities are being offered to the best trainees of the Multi Training Centre Kohima and skilled unemployed women trained in tailoring, knitting, weaving, and beading for short-term employment on a pay-per-production basis under this programme.
Myki Apparels & Accessories product includes garments, bags, face masks, knitted woolen products, crochet dolls, plastic baskets and accessories (70 different products)
Myki Products are being put on display and sale during various major events (Both in and outside State) and made available at both the Myki Store in Kohima & Dimapur, including some select outlets.
(DIPR)
