Over 200 volunteers transplant paddy in Kma

Nagaland Contractors and Suppliers Union (NCSU) president, Pele Khezhie, has called on the younger generation to return to farming, stating that agriculture is the foundation of Naga identity and a source of self-reliance.
Speaking at his paddy field near the Dzüü river, where over 200 volunteers from villages including Chakhabama, Kezoma and Kohima Village came together for paddy transplantation, Khezhie said the decline in farming among youth is a growing concern. “Farming is our identity. Our forefathers survived through it without outside help,” he said.
Women’s groups such as Kezoma Baptist Church and Lidi Kro-u actively participated in the fieldwork, showcasing the communal spirit of Naga society.
Agriculture Department officials also joined the effort, sharing modern techniques to improve grain yield and soil health. Khezhie urged both traditional farmers and experts to collaborate for sector growth.
He reminded that paddy transplantation is not just manual work but part of a seasonal cycle deeply rooted in Naga culture. He encouraged youth to reconnect with their roots and see farming as a means of survival and unity.