The second edition of The Village Fair 2026, organised under the theme “Empowering Farmers & Entrepreneurs,” was held at the Local Ground, Chozuba Town on Tuesday, bringing together farmers, entrepreneurs, government departments and institutions to promote rural enterprise and agricultural development.
The fair was powered under LADF 2026 and organised by The Green Village Link (GVL) in collaboration with various departments and institutions, including Agriculture, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services, Industries & Commerce, Fisheries & Aquatic Resources, Sericulture, Horticulture, Land Resources, NBHM, ICAR-KVK Porba, NKVIB, NABARD, NSICB, SBI, NBDA, RO-NSRLM and CWWS.
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Addressing the gathering as the special guest, Mhathung Yanthan, MLA and Advisor for Agriculture, Nagaland, said he was happy not only about the fair but also about the platform it had created for farmers and institutions to come together.
He described the event as a “meeting point” for farmers, government departments and other stakeholders to work collectively towards taking the farming community forward.
Yanthan appreciated Advisor Khamo for his vision, commitment and initiative in organising the fair, and expressed hope that more such events would be held in the future.
“I bring warm greetings from Chief Minister Dr Neiphiu Rio,” Yanthan said, adding that he was sure the Chief Minister would also be happy to witness such events and the achievements and development taking place in the state.
He said the fair was a celebration of the hard work, entrepreneurship and potential of rural communities, while highlighting the importance of creating platforms where farmers could showcase their produce and interact directly with relevant institutions.
Recalling his earlier association with Phek district, Yanthan said he was not new to the area, having served as the District Agricultural Officer between 1993 and 1995 before moving to the Land Resources Department.
He said he had visited almost all the villages in Phek during his service and had come to know the Chakhesang community closely.
Yanthan described the Chakhesang people as progressive and hardworking, highlighting their sense of unity, cohesiveness and camaraderie.
“Wherever I go, I take your example,” he said, thanking the community for being a role model for the Nagas.
The Agriculture Advisor also highlighted the agricultural potential of Phek and Nagaland as a whole, pointing to the state’s fertile soil and the capacity of its rural communities.
He said the Village Fair was a reflection of this potential, describing the event as a “spectacular show”of what farmers and rural entrepreneurs can achieve when provided with the right platforms and institutional support.
Advisor Mhathung Yanthan said Nagaland’s agrarian and village-based society must move from traditional and subsistence farming towards technology-driven agriculture and farmer-led enterprises.
Yanthan said around 70 per cent of Nagaland’s population lives in villages and that the state possesses sufficient and fertile land, suitable climatic conditions, as well as traditional knowledge and farming skills.
“What our farmers often need now is technology,” he said, stressing the need to evolve from traditional farming practices to modern and technology-driven agriculture.
He also emphasised the need for financial support, stating that farming should be approached as a business and enterprise rather than merely a way of life.
According to Yanthan, farmers need to undertake collective aggregation, processing and marketing of their produce, while ensuring better market access through institutional support from government departments and research institutions.
He said the objective should be to move “from subsistence to enterprise” and “from production to value addition.”
The Advisor further called for a shift from individual efforts towards collective economic strength, urging farmers to recognise the economic potential of their produce and explore opportunities for value addition.
Addressing young people, Yanthan said agriculture should not be viewed merely as farming and urged them to dispel the notion that farming is an occupation meant only for villagers or those with limited education.
“Farming is no more a traditional occupation. It is to be done with scientific technology,” he said, urging the youth to look at the wider agriculture economy as an area of opportunity.
He pointed out that opportunities exist not only in farming but also in processing, logistics, machinery, digital services, agri-tourism, marketing and several allied activities.
“I urge upon the youths to learn agriculture,” he said.
Yanthan also highlighted the convergence of various departments and institutions at the Village Fair, saying such convergence should become a new culture of development.
He called for the Village Fair to evolve into a continuous movement rather than remain confined to an annual event.
“The real success will be measured by what happens after the fair,” he said, identifying tangible outcomes such as farmers finding markets, entrepreneurs receiving institutional support, self-help groups establishing sustainable enterprises, and local products being processed, branded and marketed beyond the village and Chozuba.
Yanthan expressed hope that every edition of the fair would produce new success stories and that Chozuba could emerge as a model for farmer-led rural enterprise and development.
Khamo calls for working culture and entrepreneurship
Kudecho Khamo, MLA and Advisor for CAWD, Nagaland, who hosted the programme, said the fair was organised to encourage farmers and entrepreneurs and empower them with opportunities.
Referring to the Biblical teaching to “work and eat,” Khamo called upon the Chakhesang community to inculcate a working culture and make productive use of the resources available to them.
He said the launch of the “One Family, One Project” initiative, along with entrepreneurship and prayer time introduced last year, was creating a wave of movement among the people.
Khamo highlighted that buyers were seeking locally produced goods and were willing to purchase them directly from producers at their doorstep. He stressed the importance of building good relationships with banks and financial institutions based on trust, while also developing networks with marketing agencies.
Noting that not everyone could secure a government job, Khamo encouraged people to consider business and entrepreneurship, which he said offered wide opportunities for growth and economic development.
“Thinking is capital, enterprise is the way,” he said.
Phom urges focus on local strengths and organic production
A.Pongshi Phom, MLA and Advisor for Airways & Railways, Nagaland, the guest of honour, said it was his first visit to Chozuba and noted that the area had produced many prominent leaders.
He observed that Nagas should not simply follow trending business avenues, but should instead identify what grows and produces best in particular areas and build economic activities around local strengths.
Phom said economic growth would come when production from villages reached towns and wider markets.
He also highlighted the growing demand for organic farming and production, saying organic markets could provide better margins and benefits to farmers.
The fair featured around 90 stalls showcasing a wide range of local and wild produce, traditional and wild vegetables, fruits and farm produce, along with various locally produced farm and forest products.
A free medical clinic was also set up under the Medical Department, offering free screening and health check-ups for the public. Services included screening for STDs, blood pressure, dental health and oral cancer, tuberculosis (TB), blood sugar, scrub typhus, hepatitis B and C, and malaria.
The programme was led by Vekhozo, Convenor of the Event Management Committee, and began with an invocation by Vekusa Lohe, Pastor, Chozuba Town Baptist Church, followed by a welcome note from Sevonyi Keyho, Chairman, Chozuba Town Council, and greetings from Vezuhu Keyho, President, CPO.
The event also featured a special presentation by Transcend Voice, Chozuba Village, a special song by Zito Nyekha featuring Bromagination, and a folk song performance by Vesusalü and Nukurhulü.
A Coffee Table Book was released by the special guest during the programme. The event concluded with a thanksgiving prayer by Rükuzo Rhakho, Chaplain, Chozuba Town Police, followed by the dedication of the exhibition stalls by Besuvoto Rhakho, Pastor, CRC Chozuba Town.
