Phek farmers place mission statement for stakeholders

Dimapur, Oct. 16 (EMN): Women in farming in Phek district have set a list of imperatives they believe would help in developing agriculture and harnessing regional resources to promote the economy of the state. “We Naga women farmers of Phek, Dimapur and Kohima district, members of the Self Employed Women Association (Sewa) Nagaland and North East Network (NEN), a women’s rights organization that support women farmers, having deliberated issues and challenges to our indigenous food and farming system in the context of climate change, have arrived at the following declaration...” the press release read. They made an appeal to the government and local authorities, village councils in particular, with a list of action that they can take to develop the agriculture economy. The imperatives and action that the stakeholders and government can take (given verbatim): ‘Promote and support diversity-based ecological agriculture where women are engaged in largest numbers as producers and workers. Ensure support for Jhum agriculture which involves food production on small farms through policy and investment support. Support growing food crops to ensure food and nutritional security and protect the environment from adverse affects of chemical based farming. Create support for landless women farmers in leasing agriculture lands for organic farming. Ensure effective implementation of Nagaland State Organic Policy. Promote and support diversified livelihoods and provide market linkages. ‘Ensure access to good quality indigenous seeds: promote indigenous food crops and seeds, to decrease dependence on market seeds. Recognize traditional knowledge of women farmers in conservation of genetic diversity and provide infrastructural support for women-led community seed banks. Strengthen and prioritize innovative indigenous practices of seed preservation, procurement and its distribution. Revive and support for climate resilient indigenous seeds. ‘Enhance access to credit and working capital for women farmers and their collectives to enhance their livelihoods; provide infrastructure support; address grievance of frequent deduction from savings by Banks.’ Pest Management: Recognize and promote practices of Indigenous Pest Management and also support farmers with scientific and technical knowhow on managing new pests and diseases in the context of climate change. Social Security Schemes: “All women workers from the informal sector/ farm women should be able to access universal coverage for all social security schemes such as pension, maternity entitlements, health, accident and life insurance. Activate the Nagaland State Unorganised Social Security Welfare Board and implement the Unorganised Workers’ Social Security Act 2008 in reality. Strengthening Local market: Ensure good connectivity, infrastructure for affordable transportation of agricultural produce from rural to urban areas; develop collection centers in rural areas and dropping points in towns, enable women farmers’ access to markets. Adoption of appropriate technology:This includes technical support for developing innovative women friendly tools and appropriate technology for hilly terrain. Innovative, cost effective food-processing technology such as Millets de-husking machines to decrease drudgery should be developed and made available, accessible and affordable for women farmers.