11th Nagaland Canaan Farmers School training was held at LMLC, Naga United Village from March 8 to 10. It was jointly organized by ABAM, Impur and C-Edge College, Dimapur in collaboration with Life Ministry Learning Centre.
‘Nagas like to play the blame game and avoid taking responsibility’
Dimapur, March 15 (MExN): “One of the main reasons why our state is seeing so much poverty is because of the laid back attitude of the citizens. There is a lack of entrepreneurial spirit among the youth, lack of risk-takers. The Nagas like to play the blame game and avoid taking responsibility,” observed Rev Dr Mar Pongener, Executive Secretary of Ao Baptist Arogo Mungdang (ABAM). Dr Mar stated this while sharing his perspective on the Nagaland Canaan Farmers School under ABAM.
The 11th Nagaland Canaan Farmers School training was held at LMLC, Naga United Village from March 8 to 10. It was jointly organized by ABAM, Impur and C-Edge College, Dimapur in collaboration with Life Ministry Learning Centre. It was held with the main objective to spread awareness regarding the different methods of farming and how farming can help in economic development. “This programme is not only for the students or unemployed youths, but for anyone who wants to earn a living out of farming,” stated a press release.
“Even if it takes years, the institution will keep on spreading the Canaan message until the revolution begins from within,” Dr Mar asserted however; the only concern was that the motivation is often confined to the four walls, it does not go out beyond that.
Dr Mar added that he is “looking forward to the day when the people will understand the importance of the land and the miracles it has to provide to the people.”
A call to action
The Nagaland Canaan Farmers School under ABAM believes that the Nagas today need such a spirit to enable us to eradicate poverty and attain economic prosperity.
The school focuses on the call to action with “the Bible in one hand and a hoe in one hand.” The trainers expounded on the Biblical foundations of the movement where it was explained that the meaning of Canaan encompasses four aspects – “Land of hope and promise; Place of milk and honey; Land of recovery and blessing; Place where the Lord supervises.”
Sessions on pioneering history and spirit; basic economy, community development; small scale entrepreneurship; living constitution of the people of Canaan; and Saemaul Undong (New Village Movement) were delivered by the trainers, so also devotion sessions by members of ABAM.
Relevance of Canaan Farmers School
Rev O Alem, former Executive Secretary, ABAM, who spoke on the history and relevance of Canaan Farmers School, is credited with first bringing this programme to Nagaland from South Korea.
It is a proven economic model powered by the vision to move the people from war torn ruins and poverty to prosperity. The training seeks to inculcate the Canaan Spirit of pioneering spirit and hard work for community transformation.
The ideology of CFS is ‘Work, Service, Sacrifice’ and the motto is ‘Learn to Master, Work Diligently, Humbly Serve.’ Based on this, the people are called to be pioneers with the clear dream of always achieving a better life.
During the training, the trainers were Dr Sashiyangba, DPO, Land Resources Department (Mokokchung) and Rev I Wati Jamir, Pastor DABA. Resource persons from ABAM were Rev Dr Mar Pongener, Panger Ozukum, PS to Executive Secretary, Imsentiba, Sunday School Promoter, Limasangwa, Coordinator Social Concern and Meralong Langu, member NCFS Committee.
Participants were students and staff from C-Edge College, staff of LMLC, Farm Manager of ABAM Resource Centre and two representatives from Naga United Ao Baptist Church.
The trainees were introduced to stringent discipline and understanding of the ‘Canaan Spirit.’ It was a rigorous four-day programme with theory classes and practical field work. A special feature was a field trip to Ronem Farm, the extension site of the College for vocational activities.
From Dr Sashi’s sessions on composting and IMO the pioneers became earthworm’s best friends and understood the importance of different species in the environment. The training concluded with a talk on ‘Life towards Canaan’ along with presentations on pocket friendly business plans by the different groups. Altogether 31 certificates were presented in the Graduation programme.
“The Canaan Spirit learnt in the training will enable us to be pioneers, dreamers and achievers. We pray that this movement spreads all over Nagaland and that the blessings and promises of our Lord will overflow in our beautiful land,” the participants conveyed.
