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): A three-day 11th training programme on Nagaland Canaan Farmers School (NCFS) was conducted at Life Ministry Learning Centre (LMLC) in Naga United Village from March 8 to the 10th. The training was jointly organised by Ao Baptist Arogo Mungdang (ABAM), Impur, and C-Edge College in collaboration with LMLC.
An update from C-Edge College stated that the trainers were Dr. Sashiyangba, DPO of Land Resources, Mokokchung, and Rev. I Wati Jamir, pastor of DABA. The resource persons were Rev. Dr. Mar Pongener, ABAM executive secretary; Panger Ozukum, PS to executive secretary; Imsentiba, Sunday school promoter; Limasangwa, coordinator of Social Concern; and Meralong Langu, member NCFS committee.
Participants were students and staff from C-Edge College, staff of LMLC, farm manager of ABAM Resource Centre and two representatives from Naga United Ao Baptist Church.
Rev. O Alem, former ABAM executive secretary and the first person to bring the programme to Nagaland from South Korea, spoke on the history and relevance of Canaan Farmers School.
It stated that the programme was a proven economic model powered by the vision to move the people from war torn ruins and poverty to prosperity. The training sought to inculcate the Canaan spirit of pioneering spirit and hard work for community transformation.
The ideology of CFS is ‘work, service, sacrifice’ and the motto is ‘Learn to master, work diligently, humbly serve.’
Basing on the ideology and motto, people are called to be pioneers with the clear dream of always achieving a better life. It was community transformation and united hard work that could propel South Korea from one of the poorest countries to one of the richest in the world within fifty years.
Nagaland Canaan Farmers School believes that the Nagas today need such a spirit to enable eradicate poverty and attain economic prosperity. The CFS focuses on the call to action with ‘the Bible in one hand and a hoe in one hand.’
The trainers expounded on the Biblical foundations of the movement where it was explained that the meaning of Canaan encompasses four aspects ‘Land of hope and promise; Place of milk and honey; Land of recovery and blessing; Place where the Lord supervises.’
It stated that session on pioneering history and spirit; basic economy, community development; small scale entrepreneurship; living constitution of the people of Canaan; and Saemaul Undong (new village movement) were delivered by the trainers.
It added that trainees were introduced to stringent discipline and understanding of the Canaan spirit. It was a rigorous four-day programme which included morning exercise and jogging followed by devotion and breakfast, theory classes and practical field work.
A special feature was a field trip to Ronem Farm, the extension site of the college for vocational activities.
The training concluded with a talk on ‘Life towards Canaan’ along with presentations on pocket friendly business plans by the different groups.
Altogether, 31 certificates were presented in the graduation programme.
The organisers informed that the 11th training programme was held with the main objective to spread awareness regarding the different methods of farming and how farming could help in economic development. The programme was not only for the students or unemployed youths but for anyone who wanted to earn a living out of farming.