Ghatashi Church Harvests Crops to Fund Construction

Kohima: Ghatashi Town Baptist Church in Zunheboto district harvested 400 tins of paddy and job's tears this week. The group grew these crops on seven acres of private land in the Doyang River Valley, Pughoboto subdivision. They also grew sticky rice and vegetables to boost their building fund. Former minister Y. Vikheho Swu, who leads the building committee and the NPF Central Farmers’ Wing, noted the sale of these crops helps the church avoid heavy reliance on donations.

Project Director N. Kupto Achumi attended the event as the harvest programme father. He urged residents to trade urban migration for agricultural work. He claimed that combining fertile land with modern tools helps youth find independence outside of government jobs. Achumi said, "This initiative could serve as a model for others by generating resources internally." He promised potential support from the Rural Development Department.

Land Resources District Project Officer I. Acato Chishi identified Pughoboto as prime territory for Arabica coffee. He stated that coffee trees bloom in year three and produce commercial yields by year six. He recommended intercropping with black pepper to stabilize income. The North Eastern Council recently installed a mechanized coffee washing station in the Ghatashi cluster to help growers scale up production. Youth Pastor Tovibo Swu chaired the event, with Pastor Hokato Futhena providing a blessing and clerk Luheto Swu closing the day.