From struggle to success: Farmer transforms life with onion and cabbage farming in Peren

In the quiet village of Beisumpuikam, Peren district, a determined farmer, Peilungdile, has turned hardship into opportunity through onion and cabbage cultivation. Her journey highlights how resilience and knowledge can lead to prosperity.
Sharing her success story, Dr. Moakala Changkiri, Scientist (Assistant Agronomist) at AICRP (Vegetable Crops), School of Agricultural Sciences, Medziphema Campus, explained that Peilungdile once relied on traditional farming methods, growing maize and paddy for subsistence. Financial struggles made it difficult to support her children’s education and household expenses.
Her turning point came when she attended a training session organized by the NEH Component (Onion & Garlic) & NEH Plan, AICRP on Vegetable Crops, Nagaland University. Inspired by the potential of commercial vegetable farming, she decided to take a bold step forward.
With assistance from ICAR-DOGR, Pune, and ICAR-IIVR, Varanasi, and guidance from experts such as Prof. S.P. Kanaujia and Dr. Moakala Changkiri, she began cultivating onions and cabbages on a small plot. Despite being new to the crop, her first harvest yielded an impressive one quintal of onions and one quintal of cabbage from just half an acre.
Encouraged by her success, she expanded to a full acre, managing irrigation, disease control, and post-harvest techniques with precision. Today, she earns between Rs. 50,000 and Rs. 1,00,000 per season, significantly improving her family’s standard of living. She has invested in better farming equipment and confidently secured her children’s education.
Her success has inspired fellow farmers in her village to explore vegetable cultivation, leading to a shift in agricultural practices in the community. She freely shares her knowledge, helping others adopt modern farming techniques to improve their yields.
“Onion and cabbage farming has changed my life,” she says. “I never imagined this humble crop would make such a difference. It has given me dignity, stability, and hope for a better future.”
Peilungdile’s story is a testament to the transformative power of initiative and perseverance, proving that agriculture in Nagaland is not just a means of survival but a path to long-term economic growth and stability.