Women in Mokokchung were encouraged to embrace horticulture and cooperative banking as tools for economic empowerment during an International Women’s Day celebration organized by the Mokokchung Municipal Council (MMC) in collaboration with the Nagaland State Cooperative Bank (NStCB) under the theme “Accelerate Action” at the MMC Conference Hall on March 8.
Speaking on the topic “Investing to Transform,” Dr Temjenmenla, District Horticulture Officer, Mokokchung, outlined various horticultural practices that could help women generate income while ensuring access to fresh, chemical-free vegetables.
Horticulture: A sustainable path for women’s economic growth
Dr Temjenmenla encouraged women to engage in vegetable farming, highlighting its potential for quick and sustainable income generation. She stated that vegetable cultivation can be harvested in a short duration, ensuring steady income and access to chemical-free food.
She also emphasized nursery management as a profitable venture, suggesting that women could create polyhouses or shed nets to manage and grow saplings. According to her, nursery management requires minimal investment and can provide a steady source of income.
Floriculture, according to Dr Temjenmenla, is another lucrative avenue, given the high demand for fresh-cut flowers. She pointed out that most flowers are imported from other places and encouraged women to take up floriculture to cater to local demand while generating income. She further suggested forming a Mokokchung Flowers Association and investing in open cultivation of flowers, assuring that the Department of Horticulture is prepared to assist interested women.
She also announced that free planting materials for flowers such as lilium and anthurium would be provided.
Among other income-generating activities, vermicomposting was highlighted as a low-cost enterprise with significant benefits. She explained that vermicomposting requires minimal investment and can help reduce waste while producing organic fertilizer, which has a growing market.
Additionally, she promoted mushroom cultivation, stating that the department intends to provide spawn throughout the year to support women in this endeavor. She mentioned that mushroom cultivation does not require vast land or expensive equipment, making it ideal for women looking to start small businesses.
Encouraging women to explore value addition in food processing, she suggested producing items such as chilli pickle and tomato pickle with proper branding and marketing strategies. She emphasized that labelling and branding products would help women market them beyond Mokokchung.
Microfinance: Enabling women entrepreneurs
Imtiyapang, Councillor and Board of Director, NStCB, acknowledged the crucial role women play in Mokokchung’s economy. He noted that around 90% of street vendors are women and highlighted that NStCB is committed to supporting them.
He assured that the Nagaland State Cooperative Bank is the safest and most customer-friendly bank for women entrepreneurs, citing examples of successful cooperative movements like Amul and Papad-making enterprises in other parts of the country. He urged women to explore similar business models and avail loans from NStCB. He clarified that while the bank does not provide subsidies, it offers loans at low interest rates to support women-led businesses.
Temsulepden Imchen, Branch Manager of NStCB Mokokchung, elaborated on various loan schemes available for women. He introduced the Green Credit Card (GCC), which offers a loan of Rs 50,000 to small business owners, including pan shops, pharmacies, and grocery stores.
He explained that the GCC loan is renewable every year, with a 9% interest rate. Businesses availing this loan must have a trade permit license under MMC.
He also highlighted the Joint Liability Group (JLG) scheme, requiring a minimum of four members to avail a loan. Each member needs to provide PAN, Aadhaar, Ration, and Voter ID cards. The loan term is two years, with a 12% annual interest rate.
He encouraged women to take advantage of the Chief Minister Microfinance Initiative, a scheme designed to offer accessible financial assistance to small business owners.
As part of the event’s initiative to promote financial inclusion, loan application forms were handed out to 20 beneficiaries interested in starting their own businesses.
MT