Mahila Kisan Diwas: Empowering women farmers

Dimapur, October 17 (MExN): KVK Dimapur, ICAR-RC for NEH Region, Nagaland Centre, Medziphema organised an event to recognize the contribution of women farmers as part of Mahila Kisan Diwas on October 16, where Vikhweno Chale, ADC Medziphema was chief guest.  

A competition among the women farmers/SHGs were organised in the categories of fruits, vegetable, processed products, and handloom and handicrafts, which was judged by panel of expert from SASRD, Nagaland University, CIH, Medziphema and Department of Sericulture.  

Dr Lohit Kumar Baishya, Joint Director, In-charge in his welcome address appealed the women farmers to sustain the farming and other activities and develop themselves up to the level of entrepreneur.  

Alemla Therieh, Progressive farmer and Recipient of Jagjivan Ram Abhinav Kisan Puraskar, (Zonal Level) 2010, requested the other women farmers to contribute towards nutritional securities being mothers. “We play an important role in society; let us feed our children healthy food. In Nagaland cultivation is almost organic, we should preserve our own seeds for further cultivation without use of chemicals,” she said. Alemla Theriah, also shared her experience of making aloevera soap and how she could start her vermicompost production with 10 earthworms at Naga United Village, Dimapur district.  

Veikhochong Misao, recipient of Mahindra Samriddhi Agri Award, 2012 as National winner Krishi Prerna Samman, Lady of the Year- 2012, shared her experience that how intercropping of turmeric and Jhum paddy is profitable as intercrop in pineapple to get additional income during first year, as pineapple comes to flowering only in second year.

  Thejano Makritsu recipient of Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay Antyodaya Krishi Puruskar (Zonal), ICAR, 2016-17 told the fellow farmers that integration of dairy, poultry and maize, pulses and horticultural crops are profitable and for the same she was awarded for development of Integrated Farming System.  

Dr. Anamika Sharma, Principal Scientist and head KVK Dimapur proposed the vote of thanks. A total of 19 women farmer/SHG took part in showcasing of farmers produce during the celebration of Mahila Kisan Diwas. 27 officials of ATMA, Dimapur, and Department of Horticulture and ICAR Research Complex and 158 women farmers attended the programme.