Millet Festival: Nagaland CM stresses on amalgamation of traditional farming with technology

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Saturday stressed on the need for amalgamation of the traditional method of farming with technology and scientific research for self-sufficiency in food grains and economic viability.

Kohima, Dec 2: On Saturday, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio emphasized the importance of integrating traditional farming methods with technology and scientific research to achieve self-sufficiency in food grains and economic viability. He highlighted the need to adopt modern farming practices to boost productivity.

Rio Speaks at Millet Festival

Rio was addressing the inaugural ceremony of the two-day Millet Festival, which marked the culmination of the International Year of Millets. The festival was organized by the Department of Agriculture and coincided with the Hornbill Festival of Nagaland in Kisama. The chief minister acknowledged that climate change, unpredictable seasons, and rainfall have adversely affected the state's farmers.

Millet Cultivation in the Northeast

Recognizing that most northeastern states depend on other parts of the country for rice and spices due to insufficient local production, Rio emphasized the targeted cultivation of millets in the region. He encouraged knowledgeable individuals with degrees or diplomas in agriculture to engage in progressive farming, including horticulture and veterinary practices.

Awards for Millet Farmers

Rio congratulated the traditional millet farmers who received awards for producing substantial quantities of millet. He urged officials to procure high-quality seeds to enhance millet cultivation.

Millets Gaining Popularity

Advisor for Agriculture and MLA Mhathung Yanthan informed that the GI registration process has been initiated for four known varieties of millets in Nagaland. Millet has gradually gained popularity in the state, with its cultivation area expanding from around 12,000 hectares to 19,000 hectares. Yanthan noted the growing demand for millets in urban markets due to their nutritional value.

The Millet Festival in Nagaland serves as a platform to promote the cultivation and consumption of millets, highlighting their significance in ensuring food security and economic prosperity. By blending traditional farming practices with modern technology and scientific research, the state aims to achieve self-sufficiency in food grains and improve the livelihoods of its farmers.