The Nrung Longidang (N Longidang) Village Women Organisation hosted the Soybean Festival at Tiyi Hall, Wokha, today, highlighting the theme “One seed, many stories: Honouring the past, feeding the future.” The event brought together community members, farmers, and women leaders to promote the economic and cultural significance of soybean.
Delivering the special guest address, Lolano Patton, District Public Relation Officer (DPRO) Wokha, applauded the womenfolk of N Longidang for their initiative and the menfolk for their equal support. She described soybean as a symbol of resilience and possibility, stating that “one seed carries the power to unite communities, strengthen food security, and inspire economic progress.”
Patton encouraged the organisers to turn the festival into an annual event and underscored the need for large-scale farming, adoption of technology, and stronger government linkages. She expressed optimism that the festival could eventually find a platform at the Hornbill Festival.
Guest of honour, R Asenla Ao, Branch Manager of NSCB Wokha, praised the women for introducing a unique concept with potential for livelihood improvement. Stressing the importance of financial literacy, she urged participants to utilise insurance schemes available from INR 20 per year, noting that many Nagas remain unaware of such benefits.
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Ao emphasised that empowered women form the foundation of family welfare, financial stability, and national development.
Earlier, the programme opened with an invocation by Janathung Ezung, pastor in-charge of N Longidang Baptist Church, followed by a keynote address from Janbeno Murry, chairperson of the N Longidang Village Women Organisation. Greetings were shared by Thungdeni Ngullie, president of Eloe Hoho. Cultural highlights featured folk song presentations by Chiwothung Yinga and the N Longidang women cultural troupe.
The event was chaired by Phyochanbemo Ngullie and Ajanbeni Ezung. The vote of thanks was delivered by Ekonlumi Ezung. An exhibition and sale of soybean and its by-products, along with a buffet feast, marked the concluding session of the festival.
