Kovi Meyase, Secretary to the Government of Nagaland and Team Leader of NEPED, Stephen Schuelien from Germany and others during the distribution of vegetable saplings to villagers of Helipong.
HELIPONG, SEPTEMBER 20 (MExN): In a major step towards sustainable livelihoods and environmental conservation, Kovi Meyase, Secretary to the Government of Nagaland and Team Leader of NEPED, along with Stephen Schuelien from Germany, distributed 60,000 vegetable saplings, including broccoli and cauliflower, to villagers of Helipong.
The event marked the collaborative efforts of NEPED and ECS under the KfW-supported Forest and Biodiversity Management in the Himalaya, Nagaland (FBMP) project, a press release stated.
The distribution ceremony was attended by POU members, NEPED and PMU officials, GOPA International Consultants, Village Council members, Community Conserved Area (CCA) committee, church representatives, youth and women groups, farmers, and ECS staff. Asa Tep, POU Incharge for Helipong under the FBMP project, coordinated the event to ensure effective implementation.
The saplings were raised at the ECS nursery farm, with NEPED providing high-quality seeds and ECS delivering technical expertise. Villagers collectively identified and demarcated individual plots of 50ft x 50ft per household for vegetable cultivation. Seasonal vegetable seeds will also be provided, enabling villagers to grow fresh produce while learning optimal cropping patterns, seed selection, and sustainable cultivation techniques.
“This marks a transformative moment for Helipong,” Asa Tep said. “By integrating ecological conservation with sustainable agriculture, we are empowering farmers and safeguarding biodiversity. Supporting local communities with technical knowledge and quality inputs is key to reducing forest dependency and fostering sustainable economic development.”
A major goal of the initiative is to transition livelihoods from non-timber forest product (NTFP)-based systems to agriculture, with a focus on empowering women farmers. Helipong, known for its vibrant roadside market predominantly run by women, will benefit from guidance on organic farming practices, efficient cultivation methods, and high-quality seeds to gradually shift local markets toward organically grown produce.
The village’s Community Conserved Area (CCA) committee actively protects and manages local biodiversity, ensuring that forest conservation and community livelihoods develop in tandem. The FBMP project, funded by KfW, continues to strengthen local institutions while promoting sustainable development.
The initiative exemplifies the FBMP’s holistic approach, integrating biodiversity conservation, community empowerment, and sustainable livelihood development in Nagaland’s fragile Himalayan ecosystem, the press release said, adding, that as villagers begin cultivating their agri-gardens and small-scale plots, the vision of sustainable rural development is steadily taking root.
