Morung Express News
Kohima | November 21
The “Trees for Wealth Movement” - an Entrepreneurs Associate (EA) initiative to tackle climate change and generate sustainable livelihoods will be launched on November 22 at Hotel Vivor, Kohima. This was announced by the EA during a press conference held at its office on November 21.
Addressing the press conference, Neichüte Doulo, CEO noted that the movement has been a long felt vision of EA. The movement will support at least 50 farmers in planting fruit trees in 200 villages totaling to 10,000 farmers in five years time. "We will ensure that each farmers plant 200 to 300 fruit trees with 50 percent sapling cost incentive from EA and 50 percent of the sapling cost borne by farmers to instill ownership for better success. This means at least two million fruit trees are planted in Nagaland," said Doulo.
The movement intends to plant trees native to Nagaland such as Persimmon, walnut, chestnut, hazelnut, pears, peach, guava, lemon, plums, Naga apple, avocado etc. However, it will also experiment on better species and high yielding varieties in order to generate better income for rural farmers. Doulo also asserted that the movement will build upon the fragmented landholding system in Nagaland. Optimistic about the movement, Doulo stated, "Ultimately we hope that Nagaland becomes the fruit hub of India."
Briefing the press on the advocacy aspect of the movement, Benjamin Vinito Chishi, Program Manager mentioned that the Associate has already begun building awareness. It has set up school advocacy units and will further be working on a campaign that will amplify the movement.
"The movement can be owned by anyone who is interested. We hope that people will take ownership of this movement. Planting a tree is for posterity," remarked Ela Susan James, Lead Trainer, EA. James also stressed on the need for igniting young minds on such initiatives and enabling them to inculcate such concepts at a young age.
EA works on three basic principles - local market, local skills and local products. The movement will also be based on these principles and further focus on the regional market in the North East region.
Doulo also informed that the movement will not be funded by any government or foreign sponsors. "It will be a movement funded by Nagas. We want to see every school children and college to adopt fruit trees in the next five years. We are trying to change the definition of Nagas and redefine what we have," said Doulo.
The movement is built upon the experiences of EA which began in 2006 where farmers planted many more fruit trees on their own once the benefit of fruit trees were established.
With the citizenry as its social investors, the Trees for Wealth Movement will be launched on November 22 in Kohima. The launch will be held with a Patron's dinner.
Under the Movement, EA hopes to see that Nagaland plants 100 million fruit trees with 100,000 people planting on an average 1000 fruit trees by 2035.
The Associate envision that the initiative will also trigger profitable nurseries, cold chain and food processing industries in Nagaland. With the regional specificity of Nagaland's young mountains and temperate climate including its unique landholding system, the EA expressed optimism in the success of its initiative.
