A Millet Mela was organised by the Nagaland State Rural Livelihood Mission (NSRLM), Kiphire under the initiative of Farm Livelihood at Government Middle School campus, PHED, Kiphire on Thursday.

Special Guest John Tsulise Sangtam, Deputy Commissioner Kiphire enlightened that the year 2023 has been declared as the International Year of Millets (IYM2023) by United Nations as the crop is very nutritious. Millet is being celebrated as an important crop not only in Nagaland and India but also internationally, he added.

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The DC said that in the olden days, millet was known to be the ‘food of the wealthy’, the reason for which is not certain but “it was what we learned from our elders”. He shared that many grew up eating millet but not knowing much of its benefits which should be known by us as consumers. Unfortunately, today the cultivation of millets is decreasing, so it our duty to educate the farmers on the subject, DC Tsulise Sangtam said.

Since in this age of globalization the world leaders and countries are encouraging the cultivation of millet, therefore our farmers should also take advantage of the opportunity and should cultivate millets so that it can be transported and exported, he pressed.

Elaborating on the cultivation process of millets, Tsulise said, there is not much of labour required for millets cultivation compared to other cultivation as one needs to go to the field to sow the seeds and then return after three months to harvest the grains. Millet crop requires almost no inputs, because it grows even in extremely low fertile soil, which do not need deep ploughing, and can be sown with minimal tools or machines, need only few weeding at some stage, he said.

The DC iterated that millets digestion last longer therefore “in the past our forefathers ate only two meals a day if they consume millets, while they would three meals a day in the case of rice.”

Tethso RJT, NSRLM, Kiphire in his speech at the Millet Mela, said “A nation is not fully developed until it is self-sufficient’. Just as roads, schools and other institutions are primary important to us, food one of the most important needs of survival therefore we should all be working to be self-sufficient in food production as well, he said. He added that Kiphire has good potential to lead the state in millet cultivation as the soil in the district is very favourable for the crop.

He mentioned that besides the nutrition benefits of millet, it also has other health benefits such as it is good for heart diseases and weight loss. He further explained that the crop is long lasting and can be preserved for years, it is also drought and pest resistant compared to rice and other crops. If farmers realise the importance of millet, we can lead the market and be an example to other district and the state, he said, adding that the NSRLM Department is ever ready to guide and aid the farmers at all its capacity to help progress and grow.

The Millet Mela held today was coordinated with mid-day meal at GMS, PHED, Kiphire. The five blocks under NRLM, Kiphire participated in the Millet Recipe Competition where diverse food items were served with Millet as the prime ingredient.

Kiphire Block won the First prize of Rs 25,000, Longmatra Block came in Second and received Rs 20,000 while Sitimi Block was awarded Rs 10,000 for the Third position. Pungro and Khongsa Blocks both won consolation prizes of Rs 5000 each.

The 41 Assam Rifle Kiphire assisted in setting up the shelter tent for the program. An officer remarked, “it is our responsibility to help our society in every way possible, we are happy to contribute whatever we can on our end.”

The United Nations (UN) General Assembly at its 75th session has declared 2023 the International Year of Millets (IYM2023) under the theme “Harnessing the Untapped Potential of Millets for Food Security, Nutrition, and Sustainable Agriculture”.

The program was chaired by Ranchopila L Sangtam, EA Longmatra Block, with invocation by Chopongkyu, Senior Pastor, KTBL, and welcome address was delivered from Albert Ayagdongse, ADPM, NSRLM Kiphire.