DIMAPUR, MAY 26 (MExN): The Entrepreneurs Associates (tEA) supported by the CSR of Dharampal Satypal Limited conducted training programs for farmers in Porba, Enhulumi and Thetsumi village of Phek District.
Under the ‘Livelihood Enhancement through the movement, tEA is planting over 50,000 tamarillo trees in Phek and Kohima districts of Nagaland. 500 farmers are being covered in the initiative which spans two years and has huge potential to increase the income of farmers as tEA offers buy back of the fruits that will be produced from the project through its various linkages, a press release received from Neikule Doulo, Head of Communications & HR, tEA informed.
Updating the farmers about the project, and its objectives, Cukhoyi Chiero, zonal head, tEA, Phek zone encouraged the farmers to diligently take up the plantation of this tree for its numerous potentials.
He shared that the organization will ensure that the farmers are supported in whatever way possible, enabling them to increase their incomes. He also highlighted that besides the free distribution of the saplings, tEA will also be engaging them in the intercropping activities through the introduction of various cash crops as they wait for the trees to mature.
Training the farmer on the best practices of nurturing tamarillo saplings and trees, Arishinaro Longkumer, M. Tech, Soil and Water Conservation Engineering, Professional Associate, tEA, highlighted some of the tips for cultivating tamarillo trees, cures for some disease and pest control, and basic soil and water conservation techniques in hilly terrain.
She shared some of the latest technical inputs in this field and encouraged the farmers to seek new findings whenever possible.
The other participants for the training programs also included, Lhishezu-u T. Lohe, Community Mobiliser, Tshezokhro Doulo, Field Executive, Liekhro Venuh – Deacon of the Thetsumi Baptist Church and Razouveyi Dzudo, former Head Deacon, Porba Baptist Church.
The Trees for Wealth movement is a flagship program of tEA which addresses both climate and livelihoods through plantation of fruit trees. Till date it has planted over 6.5 lakh fruit trees across Nagaland and Manipur.
A unique achievement of the movement has been the successful launching of ‘micro-nurseries’ engaging farmers, women street vendors, petty traders etc who are linked to the movement.
Since its launch in 2019, the Trees for Wealth movement has been buying fruit tree saplings from these micro-nurseries instead of commercial ones to increase incomes for marginalized individuals.
Even as the plantation of the fruit trees continue, tEA is supporting more individuals to take up micro-nurseries as it aspires to plant 1 billion fruit trees by 2050 under the Trees for Wealth movement.
It hopes that the fruit tree revolution in the North East Region will lead to the creation of wealth and opportunities for the local communities as land is inherently owned by most tribal as part of the social setting, and can be leveraged to create income and a better environment.
