Along with the rest of the country, women farmers of Mon celebrated “Mahila Kisan Diwas-2018” in Mon Town on October 15, with Eyongol Natso, project director, Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) Mon as the special guest at the inaugural program. The program was organised by ATMA Mon.
Speaking at the program, the project director, stated that womenfolk have always been the driving force in farming, and encouraged the formation of Farmer Interest Groups (FIG), and Food Security Groups (FSG).
Emphasizing on the importance of hard work, he said “nothing can substitute hard work”. He also advised the gathering to “Pray more, work more and don’t be lazy, for laziness brings poverty.”
Speaking on the “Role of Women Farmers in Agriculture”, N Subenthung Odyuo, deputy project director, reported that more than 60% farmers were women. He opined that women were the backbone of agriculture. Odyuo also spoke on the importance of Farmers Groups, which he said, creates a farmer collective that can tackle problems collectively.
Later in the technical session, training the farmers on production technology of mushrooms, Leiwang Konyak, ATM, Angjangyang, laid emphasis on the importance of mushroom as an off season crop.
In another training session, resource person, Mhachamo Ngullie discussed the importance of book keeping and record maintenance for Farmers Groups in the interests of transparency and proper group management.
The program ended with a vote of thanks by Roseline Pusa.
Mokokchung: Women Farmers’ Day was celebrated, Monday, at the Mokokchung Municipal Complex, organized jointly by ATMA in coordination with Agri & Allied Departments, Watsu Mungdang, NSRLM, NABARD and SBI, Mokokchung with Deputy Commissioner, Mokokchung, Sachin Jaiswal, as special invitee.
While delivering his speech, Sachin Jaiswal stated that due to the absence of major industries, the North East depends on the rural economy, where agriculture plays an important role. Therefore, he said that farmers needed to be more pro-active in producing in bulk by availing various schemes provided by NABARD. Sachin Jaiswal said that the only way to solve the
marketing problem was bulk production. At the same time, he said that the farmers should cooperate with the banking sector giving and taking sincerely. He said, banks exist to offer loans and that the borrowers must also return the loans in time for progressive returns.
While congratulating the recipients of the District Level Women Farmer Award & District Level Best Women Farmer Group Award, Jaiswal, urged the 16 women beneficiaries of the credit support facilities provided through NABARD and State Bank of India, Mokokchung to be sincere role models for future beneficiaries.
Farm products of 16 women farmer groups and individuals from villages were exhibited for sale (Mahila Kisan Mela) and a seminar on ‘Strengthening Women Farmers in Mokokchung’, was conducted, as part of the celebration
The felicitation of the Women Farmers and Farmer Groups was conducted by deputy PD ATMA, Mokokchung, Rongsennungla Imchen while the vote of thanks was proposed by DAO & PD ATMA, Nungsangkaba. Welcome note was delivered by joint director, SARS, Yisemyong, Temsulenla and the function was conducted by AHO & BTT convenor, ATMA OS Block, Dr. Imchalemla.
More reports of Mahila Kisan Diwas
KVK Kohima: Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Kohima organized a one-day program on “Mahila Kisan Diwas” (MKD) at Kigwema village on October 15.
A press release by KVK Kohima senior scientist and head, Dr. V. Akashe Zhimomi stated that Longma Yanger (ACTO) KVK Kohima highlighted the significant role played by women in agriculture and their contribution towards household food security and self sufficiency. He also encouraged womenfolk to progress further by adopting new technologies for better production and economic growth.
Keviyanuo Zhasa (TO) also discussed mushroom cultivation and pulses production, which could earn farmers extra revenue during the winter season after the paddy harvest season. The program was attended by 42 farm women of Kigwema village, where serrated sickle for paddy harvesting were also distributed.
ATMA Kohima: Women Farmer’s Day (Mahila Kisan Diwas) was organized by ATMA Kohima at ATMA conference hall, Kohima on October 15. A press release from ATMA Kohima, deputy project director, Rokoshuno Angela stated that Seyievono, SDAO Chiephobozou in her keynote address highlighted that more than half of farming activities were being done by womenfolk. Women have enhanced food security and poverty eradication through their contribution to the agricultural sector, she said. However, she lamented that women farmers experienced inequality in wages and were deprived of land ownership rights. She explained that the role of women in farming had been recognized by the government and various programs and policies for women had been introduced.
Success stories were shared by Posanu Mekro on SRI, Neilhouvo on sericulture, Rusile Khing on success of Ngvu Logwa (Fig), Mesechu Kiewhuo on tea plantation, tea making process and its benefits; and Neizonuo on integrated farming. Short video clips on dish wash gel making, local detergent preparation in local dialect and documentary on tea plantation was shown to the participants. The program was chaired by Rokoshuno Angela. Altogether 32 women farmers from various blocks and ATMA functionaries attended the program.
ATMA Dimapur: Mahila Kisan Divas was celebrated with ADC Dimapur, Albert Ezung as the special invitee organized by ATMA Dimapur on October 15 at ATMA training hall. Speaking at the occasion, Albert said that the bulk of the population was from the rural areas and their main livelihood activities depend on agri and allied departments. He informed the gathering that traditional methods of farming needed to be modernized.
Ezung asked the farmers to share the knowledge they gain with their neighbours and also to constantly interact with the department. Short speeches were delivered by NABARD, Dimapur and NStCB Dimapur. The farm women awardees also shared their success stories. Six women farmers were recognized in different fields and were awarded certificates. The program was chaired by DSCO & AMC member, ATMA, Hovuto Zhimomi, ketnote address was delivered by DAO & PD ATMA, Atoi Sema. Vote of thanks was proposed by deputy project director ATMA, Janet Chishi.
ICAR-NRC on Mithun: ICAR-NRC on Mithun celebrated Mahila Kisan Diwas at its Medziphema campus on October 15.
A press release from PA to director of ICAR-NER on Mithun stated that women from different villages of Dimapur district directly involved in farming activities were invited to the day-long program, where issues related to cultivation, harvesting, soil preparation, seed availability, storage and animal husbandry were discussed. Various activities like quiz, drawing competition and a group discussion on “Reducing drudgery of women in agriculture” were organized. A total of 26 women farmers participated in the program.