Tsumongcha
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Mapeuding Nampeung
Roll No: B-1309/20; B Sc. Ag (Hons) 2nd year
NU: SASRD, Medziphema Campus
NEIDA implemented the project titled “From Subsistence to Prosperity through Community Led and Managed Livelihood Programme in Nagaland” with support from Tata Trusts in Kiphire district, Nagaland since 2015. Through its project intervention NEIDA has covered 24 villages across 3 blocks- Khongsa, Pungro and Longmatra covering 1700 Households. The project components are – Agriculture and Horticulture, Piggery Enterprise and Community Institution.
Penkim village located in Khongsa block of Kiphire district, is one of the project village of NEIDA with a population of 752. From the project it has implemented improved cultivation methods with package of practices to increase the income of the farmers. Tsumongcha, 42 years old, is one the beneficiary from Penkim village. She has been practicing farming for the past 10 years. She practices rice cultivation along with maize, taro, brinjal, chilli and some other vegetables but it was mainly for family consumption purpose. However, there was no surplus production for marketing especially for cash crops.
From the project intervention, she attained training on package of practices, integrated pest management and integrated disease management. Through these trainings she was able to grow her crops more efficiently which has generated her much needed income by selling her farm produce. She sells her produce in nearby shops within the village or in Kiphire town which is about 14 Km away from Penkim village.
Today with support from NEIDA, Penkim villagers are engaged in improved agriculture and horticulture practices. NEIDA has also promoted livestock activities to enhance the income of the farmers, along with it, it’s intervention in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) has provided access to safe drinking water in the village.
Tsumongcha who received technical support through the project has enhanced her knowledge and skills in improved agricultural method, and care and management of pigs. She is grateful that she has been provided with all the expertise to help to produce more and increase her income.
She is also happy to learn that in coming days they will be provided with bee keeping units by the organization which will help her to grow her financial status and she humbly says that with the help of her loving husband and children helping her by working in the farm, their family are able to sustain themselves Along with the agricultural fields they have been rearing pigs, chickens and cow which help them to get additional income.
She also shares that, even though she is still not earning enough to live an easier life, she is happy enough working in the field growing organic crops, getting some additional income and feeding her family with healthy produce from the land she works.
