Kuzhovesa Soho
Phek | July 28
Following scores of complaints received from all corners of Phek district regarding scarcity of rainfall, executives of the Phek District Farmers’ Union (PDFU) and the Area Project Organizers (APO) held an emergency meeting at the PWD Guest House in Pfütsero on July 27 last. The meeting dwelt on the improvement of terrace paddy and horticultural crops and discussed adoption of immediate alternative cropping for the farming community.
According to PDFU president, Khazhi Leah, as per reports received from six APOs, harvesting of only 40% of the crops was expected for the whole district. He also said that out of 60% cultivated paddy, 20% were drying up due to the parched land in almost all parts of the district.
The people of Nagaland, who are popularly known as indigenous agriculturalists in the global context, mainly survive on their agriculture products since time immemorial, Leah said while addressing the gathering during the meeting. He added that people living in the rural areas were faced with the threat of a famine situation and that the entire farming community lived in pathetic condition.
Talking to this correspondent of The Morung Express over the phone, Thuputhiyi S Venuh, APO for Phek, while expressing concern over the unexpected situation, urged the farming community to remain aware of their options in order to survive in one way or the other. Venuh also went so far as to urge them to minimise their daily diet so as to ensure their stored granary would last longer.
Making a petition to all employees of the agri and allied department to remain available at their respective stations, Venuh requested them to observe the situation of the farming community and assist them to whatever extent possible at the earliest. Venuh added that the PDFU, in its meeting, unanimously adopted a resolution to implement alternative cropping in the areas where paddy cultivation was affected. Wheat, maize, potato, pea, tomato, cabbage, soyabeans, garlic, etc. are some of the crops to be implemented in the process of alternative cropping.
Seeking the cooperation of the agri and allied department to earnestly work for the rescue of the farming community, Venuh further appealed to the department to arrange seeds of the abovementioned crops at the earliest. The meeting chalked out a strategy with the PDFU “for the larger interest of the people specially living in the rural areas” and decided to create awareness among the people.
Expressing shock while observing the pathetic condition of the farming community, Venuh disclosed that most of the cultivated paddy was drying up while rice seedlings were decaying, and added that there was no way to revive them as the canals had also started drying up. Citizens have expressed their fear that, in view of their paddy fields drying up, landslides and mudslides might occur once the heavy monsoon hits their land.
According to the PDFU APOs, womenfolk in these rural areas reportedly spend their time shedding tears and subsequently praying for the improvement of their lot while expressing their desire to organise a mass reconciliation with God. Venuh further urged the Church Ministry to do the needful at the earliest while saying, “A time comes when an individual needs to render their time for some certain purpose. Likewise, it’s high time for all the NGOs to join hands in one common platform for the safety of human lives.”
Meanwhile, the house extended a warm welcome to Deputy Commissioner Mikha Kenye, Superintendent of Police W C Krome, and Commandant of 5th NAP, Vecipa Vese, who have recently been posted to the district.
