Mhathung Yanthan, Pongshi Phom, Kudecho Khamo and others at 2nd The Village Fair 2026 at Chozuba on October 6. (Morung Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | October 6
The 2nd edition of The Village Fair 2026, focusing on empowering farmers and entrepreneurs, witnessed over 90 stalls, medical check-up and competitions in cooking and baking at Chozuba town in Phek district on October 6.
The event, powered under Local Area Development Fund (LADF) 2026, was organised by The Green Village Link (GVL) in collaboration with Department of Horticulture, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services, Industries & Commerce, Fisheries & Aquatic Resources, Sericulture, Horticulture, Land Resource, NBHM, ICAR-KVK Porba, NKVIB, NABARD, NStCB, SBI, NBDA, RO-NSRLM and Chakhesang Women Welfare Society.
Gracing the programme as the special guest, Nagaland Agriculture Advisor Mhathung Yanthan, said that fair had created a platform where farmers and institutions could interact and explore opportunities for economic viability in the rural areas.
He lauded CAWD Advisor Kudecho Khamo, representing 18th Chozuba Assembly Constituency, for initiating such Fair and investing LADF scheme in a meaningful and productive way.
Yanthan said Nagaland's fertile soil, favourable climatic conditions, traditional knowledge and hardworking population provided a strong foundation for agricultural development.
However, he stressed that farmers needed to move beyond traditional practices and adopt science, technology and modern methods.
He called for agriculture to shift from subsistence to enterprise, production to value addition and individual efforts to collective economic strength.
Farmers, he said, needed to understand aggregation, markets, pricing and the economic value of their produce.
View agriculture as wider economic sector
Yanthan urged upon the people to view agriculture as a wider economic sector rather than simply cultivation.
He stressed that rural transformation required convergence among departments and institutions rather than isolated interventions.
He said the participation of banks, NABARD, NSRLM, KVK and agriculture and allied departments demonstrated how different stakeholders could work together.
He said the success of the village fair should ultimately be judged by what followed the event, including whether farmers gained access to new markets, entrepreneurs received institutional support, SHGs established sustainable enterprises and local products reached markets beyond Chozuba.
Yanthan also suggested that Chozuba could emerge as a model of farmer-led rural enterprise, citing its strategic location, agricultural production and natural resources. He highlighted the area's kiwi, persimmon and honey production, as well as its potential for beekeeping.
The Advisor said villages should not be viewed merely as beneficiaries of government programmes. Farmers, he maintained, should be regarded as partners in building the state's economy, while young people should be encouraged to become entrepreneurs and job creators.
‘Return to the land’
A Pongshi Phom, Advisor, Airways & Railways, who attended the event as the guest of honour, also appreciated Khamo's efforts to create opportunities for farmers and entrepreneurs.
While acknowledging the hardworking nature of the Naga people, he expressed concern over the migration of people from villages to towns and urban centres despite the availability of natural resources in rural areas.
He called for people to return to the land and make better use of the resources available to them through scientific approaches, while also promoting natural and organic farming.
Kudecho Khamo said the fair was aimed at encouraging farmers and entrepreneurs and providing them with greater opportunities.
He called upon the Chakhesang community to strengthen its work culture and make better use of the resources available to them.
Khamo highlighted the “One Family, One Project”, “One Family, One Entrepreneur” and “One Family, One Prayer Time” initiatives launched last year, saying they had begun generating a wider movement among the people.
He said there were buyers looking for locally produced goods and stressed the importance of connecting producers with markets.
He also urged farmers and entrepreneurs to develop stronger relationships with banks and financial institutions based on mutual trust, while building networks with marketing agencies.
Sharing greetings, Chakhesang Public Organisation (CPO) President Vezuhu Keyho encouraged the community to continue pursuing sustainable livelihoods and also urged the farmers to adopt organic farming practices.
The Medical Department organised a free screening and health check- up for STDs, TB, hepatitis B & C, blood pressure, blood sugar, malaria and scrub typhus.
Earlier, the programme was led by Vekhozo, Convenor of Event Management while Chozuba Town Council chairman Sevonyi Keyho delivered welcome address.
