Women farmers exchange variety of indigenous seeds at the seed exchange festival cum seminar held in Kiphire under the theme ‘Celebrating agro biodiversity, building solidarity.’ (Morung Photo)
Seed exchange festival among five Naga tribes held at Kiphire
Lipichem
Kiphire | December 6
Women farmers of five Naga tribes from across Nagaland today came together at Kiphire and exchanged variety of seeds that is very dear to their hearts. The North East Network (NEN), a women right organization and Akedah Sangtamlaru Thingmujang jointly organized the seed exchange festival cum seminar under the theme ‘Celebrating agro biodiversity, building solidarity.’
Equating traditional seeds to mothers, chief guest of the occasion Azenou Pienyu, project director DRDA, Kiphire urged the women group not to lose them by replacing them with seeds from the market. He reminded that these indigenous seeds have feed us and nourished us through many generations.
Recognizing the need for more production of food resources with the rising increase in population Pienyu said it was very important to protect our land, our resources and our forest so that agriculture will be sustainable and the increasing population will not be a burden.
While lauding the inestimable contribution of women in the agricultural sector, Pienyu observed that womenfolk need to come up and take part in community building if sustainable development is to be achieved.
The chief guest also espoused hope that through the seed exchange festival and exchange of seed, the women group will be a torchbearer of the green revolution in the state. The chief guest also released a documentary film titled ‘The Seed Guardians’ produced by NEN.
Deputy Commissioner, Kiphire, Sedevekho Khro, said Naga has verdant fertile land where there is no requirement for fertilizers for any greens to be cultivated. However, he rued that the present day generation depend on market provisions, which are all inorganic. Pointing out that the world consider Nagas as organic producers; the deputy commissioner urged the gathering to go organic to lead a healthy life.
NEN project team leader, Seno Tsuhah while giving the keynote address said Nagas practice agriculture ecologically, the reason why our land is still fertile. She also asked the women group to share the indigenous knowledge system so that it is passed on to the next generation.
Also expressing concern, Seno pointed out that if our land and forest resources are not protected the future remain bleak. On the reason for holding such seed exchange programs, Seno said seed sharing is very crucial since this is a link to the food chain, where women are the preserver of the chain.
Wekoweu Tsuhah, program manager, NEN, administered the seed exchange ceremony. Twenty (20) women farmers from the five Naga tribes exchanged a variety of seeds. Later, Ngurthanthuangi, SDEO inaugurates the stalls put up by different women farmers in the district.
Besides the exchange of indigenous seeds among the women farmers, it was also an occasion to share and listen to cultural songs related to agriculture.
‘Machi Khidong’ a seed sowing song was presented by Seyochung women group, ’Furuthsu Khi’ a rice pounding song by Singti area women, seed sowing display by Khiamniungan women farmers, Ho Ha by Longkhim women farmers, and ‘Tsida’ Folk dance by the Longmatra women farmers were some of the highlight of the day.
