With the objective to cement its community engagement and deepen its impact, The Entrepreneurs Associates (tEA) held its first ever “Community Conclave,” on August 24, 2024 at the TT Hall in Pfutsero Town. Community leaders and tEA beneficiaries from 27 villages in Phek district attended the conclave which commenced during the early hours of the day with a footfall of 300+ participants.
The program was chaired by Cukhoyi Chiero, Zonal Head of East Zone at tEA overseeing Phek, Kiphire, Zunheboto and Ukhrul in Manipur. Chiero characterised tEA as a proponent of change by recollecting its decades of work and impact across the North East Region, with a particularly strong presence in the Phek district. He mentioned how the program is a fitting environment for the community to share experiences, build social capital, express gratitude, and leave with a sense of direction.
Rev. Vepocu Epao, Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church blessed the program with a heartfelt prayer. It was then followed by speakers, namely Zacusa Medeo; a Progressive farmer, Neitshoteu L. Mero; an FWWB Trainee, Ngonyi Krocha; an entrepreneur, and Nutsulu Thuluo; a street vendor who took to the mic to narrate their unique experiences working with the organisation in innumerable ways. The commonality dwelled on how each member was able to scale behaviour change, acquire professional skillsets, and sustain their businesses through tEA’s continued handholding support.
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The attendees were also serenaded by Vehusulu Rose & Hushezulu Khamo with a special folk ballad inspired from the melting pot of Chakhesang lore. Subsequently, it was followed by the disbursement of Zero Interest Loans to 11 women beneficiaries from Pfutsero as financial support to upscale their businesses.
The session concluded with Neichute Doulo, CEO of The Entrepreneurs Associates addressing the lot with the keynote address; delving into 24 years of the organisation’s work at the grassroots level and its many audacious feats. Doulo recounted how tEA had triggered the cultivation of crops such as potato, cabbage, kiwi, and cardamom in Phek district. He further encouraged and challenged the community to envision planting 1 crore (10 million) fruit trees in Phek District by 2040, to trigger 5000 crores economy. Further, he encouraged the attendees to adopt positive mindset and impressed upon them that they can achieve it if they commit to this vision. This aim that emerged out of the conclave is in convergence with tEA’s Trees for Wealth (TfW) Movement, which aspires to plant 3 billion trees by 2050.
The Technical and interactive session commenced with Kuzote Kepfoh, Branch Lead of Phek Branch, tEA as the moderator. Tongtimenla, tEA Research & Development associate, communicated how pivotal it is for rural communities to be sensitised on the current deteriorating state of the climate. She states “We have to take action but the first step is to make communities aware by simplifying the science of climate change and amplifying it at the grassroots level.”
Arishinaro Longkumer, tEA Project Associate apprised the attendees on the need for communities to adopt climate smart agriculture practices such as “Conservation Agriculture,” which is essential in mitigating soil erosion and enhancing crop productivity. Longkumer also encouraged the farmers to take up Tamarillo, a GI Tagged crop due to its promising scope outside the state, and to diligently continue its cultivation in the area. This was followed by Amba, tEA Project Associate who made aware the participants on how the forest is the key to our existence and the role it plays in sustaining the various actors in the value chain. Amba also stressed on the dire need to create awareness, action sustainable practices to lessen our carbon footprints, and band communities with the Government and like-minded organisations to protect the future of the upcoming generation.
A Vote of Thanks was given by Lhishezu Lohe, tEAAssistant Zonal Head. The program culminated with a stimulating focused group discussion with the community members, facilitated by Nosavinu Ltu, tEA R&D Associate and Suiyidaule, Project Associate, tEA. The dialogue was centered on the community’s approach towards farming practices and if the effects of climate change is observable in the nooks of agricultural setbacks in the area.
The Entrepreneurs Associates (tEA) is passionately working to promote entrepreneurship and develop sustainable livelihoods in Nagaland and across other North Eastern States of India. Till date, tEA has supported, trained and worked with 18,000+ First Generation Entrepreneurs, 30,000+ Farmers, 10000+ Women Street Vendors, and 1500 SHGs in Nagaland, Manipur, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and Meghalaya with plans to branch out to other neighbouring states in the upcoming days. tEA hopes that by 2025, more entrepreneurs will be impacted under the program.
