DIMAPUR: In a remarkable initiative blending faith with self reliance, Ghatashi Town Baptist Church (GTBC) in Zunheboto district has harvested around 400 tin of paddy and job’s tears from its jhum cultivation to raise funds for the construction of its church building.
Convener of the GTBC Building Construction Committee and president of NPF Central Farmers’ Wing, former minister Y. Vikheho Swu, informed that the church had cultivated around seven acres of private land, focusing on paddy, job’s tears, sticky rice and vegetables. He said the day’s harvest yielded 300 tin of paddy, with proceeds from the sale going directly to the building fund, thereby reducing dependence on donations.
The harvest programme was held at the jhum site in Doyang River Valley, Pughoboto subdivision. Addressing the gathering as “harvest programme father,” N. Kupto Achumi, Project Director, DRDA Zunheboto, encouraged people to return to rural areas and pursue agriculture based livelihoods instead of migrating to urban centres. He expressed optimism that fertile land, combined with modern technology, could help youth become self reliant through organic farming rather than relying on government jobs.
Achumi lauded the church’s initiative, saying it could serve as a model for others by generating resources internally. He also assured possible support from the Rural Development Department.
I. Acato Chishi, District Project Officer, Land Resources Department, Zunheboto, highlighted the favourable agro climatic conditions of Pughoboto subdivision for Arabica coffee cultivation. He said coffee could provide sustainable income for farmers, including unemployed youth, and urged them to begin with manageable plantations while prioritising quality production.
Chishi explained that coffee plants begin flowering in the third year, harvesting was possible from the fourth year, and commercial production starts around the sixth year. With proper maintenance, plantations could remain productive for decades. He added that coffee cultivation also aids forest conservation as the crop thrives under shade, suggesting intercropping with black pepper for additional income.
He informed that a mechanised coffee washing station had been established in the Ghatashi cluster under a North Eastern Council supported initiative to serve local growers. He emphasised the need to focus on quality, including specialty coffee, to secure better prices in domestic and international markets, and called for a gradual shift from jhum to permanent farming systems.
The programme was chaired by Youth Pastor Tovibo Swu, with pastor Hokato Futhena offering the blessing and Church clerk Luheto Swu delivering the vote of thanks.
