Kohima: Farmers in Kezoma village are turning to millet to secure their livelihoods. The grain thrives in Nagaland where other crops wither. It survives extreme heat, poor soil, and erratic rainfall. Its short maturity period allows multiple harvests each year. Dr. Zasekuolie Chusi, the state Agriculture Production Commissioner, touted the crop at the 2nd Millet Festival on August 26. He noted that some farmers doubled their earnings after switching to the grain.
Kezoma village hosted the event with the state agriculture department. The village council and local organizers led the effort. Attendees browsed over 20 stalls featuring produce from the area. Villagers sold more than 1,000 kilograms of millet harvested this July, along with fresh fruits and organic vegetables.
The region faces real climate threats. Droughts have plagued the Kezo range recently. However, modern machinery is easing the workload. The department provided threshing and milling equipment to cut down on manual labor. District Agriculture Officer Kekhrieletuo Yhome said these tools save time and prevent post-harvest waste. The village already leads in rice production through the System of Rice Intensification, with 98 percent of paddy fields now using the method.
Agriculture Director Sanuzo Nienu called the recent surge in interest a reawakening. He promised ongoing support for committed farmers. Dr. Chusi urged officials to engage directly with villagers on issues like irrigation, soil conservation, and animal husbandry. He warned that complacency could hurt rural growth. "Beyond millet, we must also ponder on other avenues such as cash crops, poultry, and other allied activities. We need to revisit ourselves and explore how agriculture can create better livelihoods," Chusi said.
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