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Commemorating ‘International Year of Millets, the North East Network (NEN) hosted its 14th Biodiversity Festival at NEN Resource Centre in Chizami under Phek district on March 7 on the theme “Millet for community resilience.”
An update from NEN stated that this year’s festival brought together more than 200 participants, representing the farming communities from four districts of Nagaland namely Kohima, Phek, Mokokchung, Shamator, NGO, community-based organisations, women organisations, government departments, research institutions, government departments, youth and students. It added that farmers from East Khasi Hills in Meghalaya working with NESFAS were also part of the festival.
The deputy commissioner of Phek and guest of honour, Kumar Ramnikant, has expressed admiration on the concept of biodiversity festival and suggested branding to reach out to a wider audience. He highlighted the need to build a people's movement in promoting millets and the importance of focusing on financial security besides food and nutrition security.
He also encouraged the communities to grab the opportunity of building sustainable livelihoods from millets through value addition and he extended his support for the same.
Delivering the keynote address titled ‘Become better ancestors,’ Prof. Bengt G Karlsson, professor of Social Anthropology at Stockholm University, articulated that biodiversity sometimes is thought of as conservation of endangered species. According to him, it is the care for all living beings, and to live responsibly is to recognise the lives of others, of insects, plants, animals, mountains, rivers, soil, all that people depended on for survival.
He stated that becoming better ancestors begins with a basic question: how to eat well, which begins with seeds--to have our own seeds that we know. Stressing on the repercussions of unstable global markets and the vulnerability of farmers who depend on such markets and with climate change, COVID-like pandemics and wars, he pointed out that resilience can only be built by protecting the biodiversity-- the keystone of local food systems.
Report stated that the festival also amplified voices from the fields sharing on “What millet means to us.” The speakers included Seno Tsuhah, SC member of Millet Network of India; Shilu Thurr representing Pochury community and Kezukhalo Lasuh representing Chakhesang community.
Kezukhalo shared his experience of millet farming and the need to adapt to climate change to sustain, while Shilu stressed on the importance of knowledge building and awareness amongst farming communities to sustain cultivation and consumption of millets.
Seno Tsuhah highlighted that “millet should not be seen just as a crop, but as a concept. It is climate compliant, ecological, and bonds communities together.” She stated that millets are diverse and added that the diversity must be protected at all costs as diversity means resilience.
Khrienuo Metha, NEN member, has acknowledged the significant contribution of the local communities in biodiversity protection. She reminded that ‘traditional practices sustain and save biodiversity from collapsing and this needs to be recognised and supported.’
Delivering a solidarity speech, Rupa Chinai, independent journalist and author, has appreciated the efforts of the communities in Northeast for protecting the biodiversity through innovative methods. She stated that sustaining local livelihoods through development of nettle and cotton products, protection of seeds through community seed banks by women farmer collectives, engagement of youth in wildlife and biodiversity conservation are some noteworthy examples.
She added that northeast India has constitutional safeguards-- 371 and 6th Schedule relating to natural resources, land, administration. She stated that those hard won rights have enabled communities to determine their own destiny and hence must be valued and protected.
It mentioned that NEN has been organising biodiversity festivals since 2010 that brought together diverse stakeholders especially farming communities from within and outside Nagaland. It stated that the festival has enabled participating communities to celebrate the rich agroecological heritage while creating wider awareness on the same. Besides, it has facilitated the sharing and exchange of knowledge on local food systems, on seeds, and culture among others. It has also provided a platform for local communities to sell both food and crafts products, fostering solidarity amongst diverse communities.
The highlights of this year’s biodiversity festival included biodiversity exhibitions: herbal plants of Chizami and uncultivated plants from Enhulumi, the earth market also known as farmer's market from Shamator, New Phor, Meluri, Enhulumi; crafts from Phuhgi, Thurutsuswu, Runguzu Nasa, Thetsumi and SEWA Dukaan.
Millet food stall for promotion of the multi-nutrient grain was set up, while the seed exhibition showcased seeds from the community seed banks of Rusoma, Chizami, New Phor and Shamator.
The festival witnessed seed exchange between 10 communities namely Shamator, Sumi, Jatahlakadong Mawbri (Meghalaya), Shatuza, Thurutsuswu, Meluri, Phor, Kuzatu, Phuhgi, Longsa, Chuchuyimlang Moalenden, Kubza (Mokokchung).
The event also witnessed cultural performances from Chizami and Yakor communities.
A book titled “Seeds and food sovereignty: Eastern Himalayan experiences” by North Eastern Social Research Centre was formally launched during the festival. The book was dedicated to the Eastern Himalayan region indigenous communities' traditional farming practices, seeds, food and more.