Kezoma village held its first Ochu Millet Festival today, organized by the Kezoma Village Council in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, Government of Nagaland, and assisted by the Department of Tourism, Government of Nagaland.
Special guest Y Vikheho Swu, President of the NDPP Agri & Allied Organisation and Managing Director of Okusa Toyota, in his address, expressed gratitude to Chief Minister, Dr Neiphiu Rio for his steadfast support in steering Nagaland towards sustainability and development. He also extended greetings to the villagers of Kezoma on behalf of the NDPP Nagaland party.
Swu said the presence of the NDPP Agri & Allied Organisation at the festival was for two specific reasons. Firstly, although the organisation neither has developmental authority nor an official office, senior members had recommended its participation, which they agreed upon. Secondly, he said, irrespective of position, it is the responsibility of all to contribute towards the Naga people’s journey of sustainability.
Highlighting the evolution of the Agri & Allied sector within the NPF political party, Swu explained that earlier it comprised six departments — Agriculture, Horticulture, Soil & Water Conservation, Forest, Veterinary & Animal Husbandry, and Sericulture. However, under the Rule of Executive Business 2020, the number of departments under the Agri & Allied sector has grown to fourteen. Despite this expansion, Swu acknowledged that the role of the NDPP Agri & Allied Organisation is still very limited.
He reminded that by 2047, when India aspires to become a developed nation, the Agri & Allied sector will have a huge responsibility. As an organisation, even though it does not carry direct administrative duties, it should focus on bridging the gap between departments and farmers, scientists and researchers, he added. He said that the departments can work together to fill the gap
He said the organization is on a mission to identify places where farmers are progressing, adding they would identify what the farmers need, have in-depth knowledge of their struggles and work on it by handing it to the department.
He said that Agri Allied are working out ways to see how fast the policies of department would reach the farmers. Their main role is to bring the gap between farmers and the departments or any agencies, he added.
Swu also congratulated Kezoma village for hosting such a significant event and read out a message from the Advisor for Agriculture, who expressed heartfelt appreciation to the villagers of Kezoma and the organisers for promoting this important crop (millet). He extended gratitude to the Departments of Agriculture and Tourism for their support to the festival.
Download Nagaland Tribune app on Google Play
Speaking on the global context, Swu recalled that in 2021, India had moved the United Nations to declare millet as an international crop of significance, an initiative supported by 70 countries. Consequently, 2023 was declared as the International Year of Millets under the theme “Healthy Millets, Healthy People.” He added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had appreciated a 27-year-old woman farmer, Lahari Bai from Madhya Pradesh, for conserving 150 varieties of millet. He further noted that in 2025, Bengaluru had hosted the International Millet Festival, reflecting the growing recognition of the crop worldwide.
Swu remarked hat in olden times, millets was “a poor man’s food” but today it has transformed into “a rich man’s food” because of its multiple health benefits and vast potential.
Swu remarked that millet, once considered “a poor man’s food,” has today transformed into “a rich man’s food” because of its multiple health benefits and vast potential. In his concluding remarks, he encouraged the people of Kezoma to aim higher, stating that millet cultivation represents a significant pathway toward the sustainability of the Naga people.
Earlier, the programme began with an invocation prayer by Medongol Thami, Pastor of KBC. Short speeches were delivered by the Chairman of Kezoma Village Council, representatives from the Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Tourism. A folk tune was performed by Pete VLO, Kezoma. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Vizovo Yongo, Convenor of the Organising Committee.
