Dimapur, Oct. 16 (EMN): Nineteen women farmers were honoured in recognition of their ‘role and contribution in ensuring food and nutritional securities in their communities’ during an event to observe World Food Day at Chizami village in Phek district. The event was organised by North East Network, Nagaland.
According to a statement from the organisers, 130 women farmers from Phek district, village leaders, district administration and officials from the department of Horticulture, Rural Development (RD), KVK- ICAR Porba and National Agriculture Bank for Rural Development (NABARD) participated in the event. The theme of the event was: ‘Strengthening local food and farming systems – a call for action.
Seno Tsuhah welcoming the gathering highlighted on the role of rural communities in ensuring food and nutritional securities. Stating that the rate of rural-urban migration in Nagaland is increasing rapidly, she said that if the trend is not checked it will become unhealthy for the society.
To address the issue, she asserted that food and farming policies of the government need to be relooked and re-strategised. The solution lays in strengthening local food and farming systems which requires the concerted effort of diverse stakeholders particularly the government, she said.
Guest of Honour Kovi Meyase, the deputy commissioner of Phek, in his inaugural speech stated that despite the many advancements made by human civilization, hunger and poverty remains to be addressed.
Reiterating on the global theme, he pointed that people across the world are migrating not by choice but by circumstance. Therefore he stressed on the need to develop a roadmap for sustainable agriculture and food production. Local and indigenous food can contribute in addressing hunger and poverty and this can be leveraged through community extension services, he said.
Further he stressed on importance of education for creating greater awareness in strengthening local food systems – production, value addition and marketing. Rural women have the potential to sustain local food production and building a resilient community, the DC said.
In the session on ‘Promotion and Support for Local food and Farming System’, testimonies on challenges and concerns of the farming community were shared by women farmers. Emerging issues were climate change and its impact on food security, shortage in agricultural labour, absence of support for indigenous and native seeds, promotion of cash crops by government, lack of remunerative price for local and organic products, the increasing use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers and its impact on soil fertility and shrinking agricultural lands, according to the organisers.
In response, Razouvolie Dozo, Project Director of RD shared that it has its focus to reduce migration by investing in rural livelihoods. He mentioned that in every programme of RD, 30% participation of women is mandatory and therefore women’s participation is necessary in all planning and decision making processes and activities.
Moalemba, District Horticulture officer commended the concept of community seed banks, stating that such practise should be encouraged and replicated in other communities. He supported organic farming and provided information on various methods for pests and disease control.
“In the session ‘Addressing Barriers To Rights And Entitlements For Women’, women farmers raised various challenges and barriers faced in relation to market access, post harvest management and processing technologies, reduction of work drudgery, access to women friendly tools and technology, trainings and information and access to capital and credit,” according to the organisers.
In response, Imsunaro, DDM, NABARD highlighted on the importance of awareness and sensitization of women on financial literacy and financial products such as KCC. Esther T Longkumer, KVK-ICAR shared about the interventions of KVK and various programmes available for farmers.
