Participants of the cooking competition organised on the occasion of World Food Day 2020 by North East Network, Nagaland at Chizami. (Photo Courtesy: NEN)
Chizami, October 16 (MExN): On the occasion of World Food Day 2020, North East Network (NEN), Nagaland organised a cooking competition for rural youth at the NEN Resource Centre at Chizami, Phek District under the theme ‘grow, nourish, sustain, together.’
The event brought together 65 participants, mostly youth members from Chizami and neighbouring villages. 11 teams from five villages, namely Chizami village, Chizami Town, Thetsumi, Enhulumi and Sumi took part in the cooking competition.
This year’s World Food Day programme of NEN focused on youth, in an effort to bridge the growing gap between young people and local food systems. It is an attempt to help the youth understand the significance of local food, rediscover and appreciate traditional recipes, explore and exchange innovative recipes using local ingredients, stated a press release from NEN.
Wekowe-u Tsuhah, NEN in her introduction to the programme highlighted the significance of World Food Day, which is aimed at creating awareness on hunger and healthy lifestyle.
Tsuhah challenged the youth participants to reflect on their food choices they make every day, whether the choice they make is healthy, and if we are supporting food systems that is sustainable for us and our planet Earth. She added “COVID pandemic has taught us a lesson that we can build resilience only if we sustain and strengthen our local food and economic systems.”
Citing the theme, she encouraged the participants to grow diversity to nourish a growing population, and sustain planet earth together.
Guest speaker, Kekhweu T Mero, Retd Teacher and Custodian Knowledge Holder in her message, reminded the youth that God has blessed us with diverse herbs and seed bearing trees for food, but also given us a responsibility to take care and sustain them.
She shared her concerns that many people have increasingly abandoned their own agricultural lands and are not food secure anymore. This she said is ‘a dangerous trend and therefore the youth must take the responsibility to reverse this trend by getting involved in growing food and also encourage elders and parents to continue’. She also stressed on the importance of being self reliant and not to depend fully on the market for food.
Mero shared with the participants the cultural, nutritional and medicinal values of some wild herbs, and cultivated crops such as millets, perilla, black sesame and corn.
In a short speech, Colo Mero, Director, Life Ministries and Advisory Member, NEN Nagaland, highlighted the potential of developing local food business if one has passion and develop necessary business skills. He encouraged the youth to rise up and take the opportunity to develop food business as there are numerous livelihood opportunities – for growers, distributers, restaurants, etc. He asserted, “Food is an art and therefore along with taste, presentation skills, quality control, hygiene are some of the most important points to be noted in food business.”
The cooking competition comprised of two categories, the indigenous cooking category and innovative category. In the innovative category; Zaweu Tsuhah & Wewau Mero from Chizami Town bagged the first place, and in the indigenous category, Eyienyiteu Tsuhah & Wemelhiu Thopi of Chizami village took 1st place.
Two films were screened at the event. The programme was chaired by Vilazonuo, NEN; Rev Mese Rhakho pronounced the invocation; special song presented by Depeu and Yeteu Vero and Keviselhou, NEN delivered the vote of thanks.
