The 6th Millet Festival was celebrated at the Public Ground in Shamator Town on Thursday under the theme “Grow Millets, Grow Wellness,” bringing together farmers, community leaders, government officials and development organisations to promote millet cultivation, nutrition and sustainable agriculture.
The festival was jointly organised by Millet Sisters, SEWA Shamator District, North East Network (NEN) and the Millet Network of India (MINI) in collaboration with the Departments of Agriculture and Social Welfare.
President of the NPF Central Farmers’ Wing and Managing Director of Okusa Toyota Pvt. Ltd., Y. Vikheho Swu, inaugurated the festival and visited exhibition stalls displaying millet products, local produce and traditional crafts.
Addressing the gathering, Swu described the theme as timely, saying millets are a nutritious and sustainable food source as the world faces growing health challenges. He noted that India is the world’s largest millet producer and said Nagaland has significant potential to expand cultivation, improving farmers’ incomes and public health. He urged farmers to adopt modern agricultural technologies while preserving traditional jhum practices so indigenous knowledge is passed on to future generations. Swu also expressed hope that Nagaland’s new Agriculture Policy would strengthen farmers’ livelihoods and encourage more young people to take up farming.
Convenor of Millet Sisters Tsusola highlighted the importance of reviving millet cultivation to strengthen food security, improve nutrition and build resilience against climate change.
District Agriculture Officer L. Kivika Chophy said millet, once a traditional staple crop, had declined with the growing preference for rice. He said the department is promoting millet cultivation under the National Food Security Scheme and noted that Nagaland’s millet productivity is higher than the national average.
The programme also featured keynote addresses, award presentations, farmers’ experiences, cultural performances, cooking competitions and an exhibition-cum-sale of millet products, reinforcing the festival’s role in promoting indigenous crops, sustainable farming and healthier diets.
