Lanthaio Hemshou.
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Hemshou
Roll No: B-1316/20; B.Sc. (Hons) Ag. 2nd year
NU: SASRD, Medziphema Campus
North East Initiative Development Agency (NEIDA) NEIDA operates in the North-eastern states of India in the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram and Nagaland. NEIDA has been promoted by the Tata Trusts as the nodal agency for the Trusts’ North East Initiative (NEI). NEIDA engages with community institutions and grassroots Non-Governmental Organizations for implementing various development projects. NEIDA also plays the role of a coordinator by providing a platform for rural communities, action research organization, donors, business agencies and state governments to facilitate partnership that benefits all stakeholders.
NEIDA an associate organization of the Tata Trusts implemented the project titled ““From Subsistence to Prosperity through Community Led and Managed Livelihood Programme in Nagaland” with support from its implementing partner Eleutheros Christian Society (ECS) in Tuensang district from 2015. Since its inception it has covered 40 villages across 3 blocks- Noklak, Noksen and Sangsangyu covering about 4000 households.
One success story of the project intervention is the story of Lamthaio, hailing from Nokyan village under Noklak block. Born on 15 May 1983, Lamthaio was brought up in the village where he studied till class 10. Without much scope to proceed for further studies, he turned to farming. He currently grows coffee beans and orange in 1 ha of land.
Through the project component “Piggery Enterprise,” he was selected as the Livestock Service Provider. He has been trained in care and management of pigs. This makes him the only trained person in his village to provide basic veterinary services to the pig farmers. His service is indispensable for his community as pig rearing is a major enterprise in his village. Indeed, his success is not only a personal one, but also a great win for the entire village.
He came across NEIDA in the year 2017 through its implementing partner ECS in a farmer’s training. That year, NEIDA started a project in Nokyan village in which 96 pig stys were constructed. As a beneficiary, Lamthaio received cement, sand and CGI sheet to construct his pigsty. Currently he is rearing 6 pigs.
As part of capacity building to enhance the skills of the Livestock Service Provider, Mr. Lamthaio was also selected to undergo training at National Research Center on Pigs, ICAR, Guwahati. He was trained in first aid, route of administration, vaccination in consultation with Veterinarian, important subjects of common pig diseases control and prevention, minor surgery, wound dressing etc.
Today, he uses his knowledge and training to help the villagers in care and management of their pigs. He usually renders his services for free, apart from the occasional Rs 30-Rs 50 for pig castrations. His service is important for the entire village as technical and trained management can go a long way in making a difference for successful pig rearing. Even though MrLamthaio has no helping hand and there is almost no financial gain in doing this work, he is still happy to help his community.
Under the Community Institution component, NEIDA and ECS facilitates and promote Women’s Self Help Groups and provides seeds to the women farmers. Lamthaio expressed that the entire village has benefitted a lot from NEIDA and ECS and there is great demand and hope for more projects in Nokyan village.
Lamthaio’s main source of income is from selling the oranges and coffee and he considers himself blessed to be able to support his family of 6 and even being able to send two of his children to good colleges in Kohima and Dimapur. He hopes to expand his business but the remoteness of the village, lack of market and bad road condition makes it difficult to even transport his produce to Kohima or Dimapur. But he is determined, and even after a failed attempt to sell his coffee beans in Dimapur last year, he intends to keep on trying his best.
His income is supplemented by rearing of bees and he currently produces around 100 bottles of honey per year. He also intends to expand his trade to bamboo carpentry in the coming years.
Lamthaio is truly an example that one can go far with an innovative mind and persevering spirit. His act of community service is also a great example that success is not only in wealth and fame, but also in helping and lifting up one’s own community.
He said that he is truly blessed to have come across NEIDA and ECS who gave a humble farmer like him an opportunity to visit a big city like Guwahati and receive quality training. He expressed that it is only because of this opportunity that he is now able to help his community by rendering a much-needed service.
