The second edition of the Millet Festival, organised by the Kezoma Village Council in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture and allied sectors, Government of Nagaland, was held at Kezoma Village Ground on August 26, highlighting the potential of millet and other agricultural activities to strengthen rural livelihoods.
Speaking at the event, Agriculture Production Commissioner (APC) and Commissioner & Secretary for Agriculture and Land Revenue, Government of Nagaland, Dr Zasekuolie Chusi, IAS, said millet was well suited to Nagaland’s difficult terrain and slopes, where other crops had struggled to thrive.
He said millet had regained global importance and was particularly significant for Nagaland because of its climate resilience. The crop can withstand drought-like conditions, irregular rainfall, heat and poor soil. Its short maturity period and low input requirements also make it suitable for cultivation in the State’s hilly and marginal lands, he said.
Certain varieties, he added, can be cultivated more than once a year.
Describing millet as an important crop for food and nutritional security, Dr Chusi said its relevance extended beyond nutrition, with ongoing research also examining its medicinal properties and potential health benefits.
The APC, however, urged farmers and communities to consider the changing nature of agriculture and rural livelihoods. He observed that many villages were gradually abandoning paddy cultivation because it was no longer considered economically viable. He questioned whether farmers were making the best use of their time and available land by exploring alternative and complementary agricultural and allied activities.
Dr Chusi called for improved farming practices through the appropriate integration of traditional knowledge with modern technology and machinery. He said the objective should extend beyond self-sufficiency to building sustainable livelihoods and strengthening the rural economy.
Referring particularly to Kohima district and the Angami areas, he said the region was endowed with favourable conditions for cultivation, including suitable weather, rainfall, water resources and forests. He urged people to reflect on whether increasing comforts had made society complacent and less inclined towards productive agricultural activities.
“Beyond millet, we must also ponder on other avenues such as cash crops, poultry and other allied activities. We need to revisit ourselves and explore how agriculture can create better livelihoods,” he said.
Dr Chusi said the organising committee had informed him that drought conditions were recurring in the Kezo range. However, he said the introduction and cultivation of millet had helped improve farmers’ incomes, with some reportedly doubling their earnings. He said this success provided further reason to celebrate the festival’s second edition.
Calling for greater convergence among government departments, Dr Chusi urged officials from agriculture and allied sectors to interact directly with Kezoma farmers and understand their needs. He said assistance should cover not only crop cultivation but also seeds, irrigation, land use, soil conservation and animal husbandry.
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He also requested officials from the veterinary and other allied sectors to engage with villagers and the organising committee and extend assistance within their respective mandates. Expressing hope for sustained engagement, he said government departments would continue holding interactions and consultative meetings with Kezoma Village and the Millet Clubs to support agricultural initiatives and strengthen millet-based livelihoods.
Director of Agriculture Sanuzo Nienu observed that millet cultivation had declined in the region but said it was encouraging to see growing efforts towards its revival in recent years. Describing the renewed interest as a “reawakening” among community farmers, he assured that the Department of Agriculture would support farming communities that were serious and committed to agricultural activities.
Encouraging farmers, Nienu highlighted millet’s resilience and its ability to produce good yields even under drought conditions. He said foxtail millet, in particular, was commonly grown in Nagaland and had traditionally been a staple food for many communities.
District Agriculture Officer, Kohima, Kekhrieletuo Yhome said Kezoma Village had been a torchbearer in adopting and implementing various programmes and improved farming practices introduced by the Department of Agriculture.
He highlighted the village’s success in adopting the System of Rice Intensification (SRI), with about 98 per cent of its paddy cultivation brought under the method. The adoption of double-cropping practices, he added, had also enabled farmers to generate additional income from their agricultural land.
Yhome said the department had supported farmers by providing agricultural machinery. As millet cultivation expanded in the village, threshing and milling machines were also provided because these are among the most labour-intensive stages of production. The machines, he said, would reduce manual labour, save time, improve efficiency and minimise post-harvest losses.
More than 20 stalls from Kezoma and neighbouring villages showcased and sold local produce. Over 1,000 kilograms of millet cultivated by villagers and harvested in July were sold during the festival, along with organic vegetables, fruits and other village produce.
The programme was chaired by organising committee convener Mhasivi Naki. It began with an invocation by Ketholesie Mekro, Catechist of St. Mary’s Church, Kezoma, followed by a welcome address by Kezoma Village Council Chairman Kikrosa Naki. The Kezoma Village Women Society presented a folk tune, while the vote of thanks was proposed by Organising Committee Secretary Kedivi Mekro.
