Millet grown in Kozama village, which is located about 40 kilometres from Kohima.
Kohima, August 24 (MExN): The second edition of the Ochü Millet Festival will be held at Zake Ground in Kezoma Village on August 26, with the theme “Tiny Grain, Healthy Future,” aiming to highlight the resurgence of millet cultivation in the region and promote locally grown produce.
Organised jointly by Kezoma Village Council (KVC) and Department of Agriculture and allied sectors under the Government of Nagaland, the festival seeks to reconnect farmers and consumers with the nutrient-rich grain, which has seen a steady revival in the village after years of decline.
“Millet cultivation, once on the decline, has witnessed a revival in the village, with more farmers returning to the crop. The first Ochü Millet Festival, held in August last year, recorded record sales, renewing confidence in millet cultivation,” the organising committee said in a press release.
Located about 40 kilometres from Kohima, Kezoma’s favourable climate allows millet to be cultivated twice a year. The fresh harvest to be featured at the festival was reaped in July this year, the committee added.
Over 20 vendors from Kezoma and neighbouring villages will set up stalls offering millets, organic vegetables, and other locally produced goods. The festival will also feature traditional millet delicacies and a dedicated Millet Food Court, alongside a Grand Buffet available to visitors through tickets purchasable at the venue.
Agriculture Production Commissioner and Commissioner & Secretary, Agriculture and Land Revenue, Government of Nagaland, Dr Zasekuolie Chüsi, IAS, will be the special guest. Sanuzo Neinu, Director of Agriculture, and Kekhrieletuo Yhome, District Agriculture Officer, Kohima, will also address the gathering.
The organisers have invited the public to visit the festival, interact with farmers, and experience the journey of millet from farm to table. The festival will commence at 11:00 AM onwards.
