The Soybean Festival themed “From Field to Feast: Celebrating Our Soybean Legacy” was held at Angh Hall, Agri Expo, Chümoukedima, Nagaland, from February 20 to 21, 2026. The event brought together farmers, scientists, and officials to highlight the importance of soybean in the state.
Sanuzo Nienu, Director, Department of Agriculture, Government of Nagaland, attended as Special Guest and expressed satisfaction over participation from all districts. He said such community-led initiatives play a vital role in creating awareness and popularising important crops. He highlighted soybean as a globally important pulse and oilseed crop, often called the “miracle” or “golden” bean, for its high nutritional value and wide use, while also noting its role in improving soil fertility and supporting sustainable agriculture.
The inaugural session began with a welcome address by Prof. A.K. Singh of the School of Agricultural Sciences, Nagaland University, who said the festival served as a platform for knowledge exchange. The keynote address by Prof. L. Tongpang Longkumer noted that the programme marked Nagaland’s first Soybean Festival and highlighted that Mon district has the highest area under soybean cultivation. He said Nagaland’s average yield of 12.6 q per hectare is above the national average of 11.79 q per hectare.
Technical sessions covered variety selection, disease management, and value addition. The event was organised by ICAR AICRP on Soybean with Nagaland University. About 200 farmers attended, exhibitions showcased improved technologies, and awards and agricultural inputs were distributed to farmers and volunteers.