The Chitso Sumai festival, a major agricultural celebration of the Khiamniungan tribe marking the start of the new farming season, was celebrated at Khaushiu Public Ground, Pathso, Noklak, on 24 February 2026. The festival highlighted community seed exchange, cultural displays, and government initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable and profitable farming.
MLA & Advisor, Mhathung Yanthan stated that the festival holds deep significance as it is a time to thank God for the bountiful harvest and to invoke his blessings for the upcoming season of labour and cultivation.
Highlighting that the Government of Nagaland is prioritising the welfare of farmers, Yanthan called upon both the farmers and the youth to seize the available opportunities and transform farming into a sustainable and profitable enterprise rather than merely a means of survival.
Speaking at the program, the festival host, MLA, Benei M Lamthiu stated that the Khiamniungan people are blessed with fertile soil and a hardworking community. However, he noted that with the growing challenges posed by climate change, traditional farming practices are no longer as effective as they once were. He emphasized the need to adopt modern and sustainable agricultural methods to cope with these changes.
Benei further urged the concern line department to actively guide and support the farmers of the area by providing proper training, technical assistance, and necessary resources to help them transition to improved farming practices.
Following the formal program, MLA & Advisor, Agriculture, Mhathung Yanthan inaugurated exhibition stalls set up by various village organisations. The celebration continued with cultural display by Pathso Nokeng cultural troupe and Pathso cultural troupe.