Under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (TRIFED), Dedication of Machinery was held on 26th July 2023 at Jungyam Fishery Farm, Noklak HQ, organized by Nagaland Beekeeping & Honey Mission (NBHM).
SDO (Civil) Noklak, Vikhoto Richa, speaking on the occasion as the Special Guest, asserted that Noklak, being cornered in the far-flung area of Nagaland, faces significant challenges in terms of transportation and infrastructure. He stated that despite being hardworking with great potential, the people lack the right avenue, hindering opportunities and development. Beekeeping, with its higher potential for generating side income and value addition, can be a source of livelihood, Richa said. He emphasized branding, marketing, and the need to return to an organic way of living. Richa also highlighted the setbacks faced due to the rise in population contrasting the earlier ways of living, which primarily focused on meeting simple needs, and the difficulties arising from the region's topography, making it challenging to bring in big machinery. He urged farmers, SHGs, and beneficiaries to grasp the privilege of government schemes and utilize the machinery implemented by the ministry properly. Additionally, he requested the departments to take follow-up actions at all capacity levels to train the farmers, encouraging them to contribute through self-effort without solely depending on government schemes.
Later, Richa inaugurated the Demonstration of Machineries and Exhibition of Products.
In his welcome address, Team Member NBHM, Noklak & Shamator District in-charge Phem Shiu expressed sincere appreciation to Chairman Obed Quinker and Team Leader Sentiwapang Aier, Addl. Secretary to the Government of Nagaland, Mhathung Tsopoe, Team member NBHM i/c of TRIFED, through whom this program has been successful. With their full support and effort, they have been able to bring all the machinery from Delhi, Haryana, and UP. He also thanked the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (TRIFED) for providing all the machinery that were required by the beneficiaries.
Phem Shiu elaborated that initially, they were wondering how all these value-added products and forest produce could be processed and marketed, but today they are fortunate that, even in a far-flung area, they have acquired all these machinery and materials within their doorstep. Now, they can utilize these machinery for the benefit of the farmers and people as a whole. Phem Shiu mentioned that the machinery is provided under the Scheme Van Dhan Vikas Kendra (VDVK), which is under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India. Further, he urged all to use the machinery carefully and come out with a lot of success stories so that they can avail more schemes in the future.
Earlier, the program was chaired by Francis Kikon, NBHM. Chairperson "Taste of Noklak" Mongshai also spoke during the program. The dedication of Machinery was performed by Langshen K, Pastor Baptist Church Thang. More than 200 (two hundred) people attended the program.
(K. K. Chim, IA Noklak)
