Shamator Celebrates Sixth Millet Festival Promoting Sustainable Farming and Nutrition

The 6th Millet Festival was celebrated at the public ground in Shamator Town under the theme “Grow Millets, Grow Wellness,” bringing together farmers, community leaders, government officials and development organisations. The festival promoted millet cultivation, improved nutrition, food security and sustainable agriculture while highlighting the importance of indigenous crops in Nagaland. It was jointly organised by Millet Sisters, SEWA Shamator District, North East Network and the Millet Network of India, in collaboration with the Departments of Agriculture and Social Welfare, Shamator.

Special guest Y. Vikheho Swu inaugurated the festival and visited exhibition stalls and the farmers’ market featuring locally grown millet products, traditional agricultural produce and indigenous crafts. Addressing participants, he highlighted the nutritional and environmental benefits of millets and encouraged farmers to expand cultivation, adopt appropriate modern technologies and preserve traditional farming practices. He also expressed optimism that Nagaland’s Agriculture Policy could strengthen rural livelihoods and encourage greater youth participation in farming.

Speakers at the festival emphasised reviving millet cultivation as an important strategy for improving nutrition, strengthening food security and building resilience to climate change. District Agriculture Officer L. Kivika Chophy highlighted government efforts to promote millet cultivation and noted Nagaland’s encouraging millet productivity. SEWA leader Wekoweu Tsuha also called for stronger community participation and greater support for women-led agricultural initiatives.

The festival recognised outstanding farmers, including Yinsola Yimkhiung, who received the highest millet producer award. Farmers also shared their experiences in millet cultivation and community-based agriculture, helping demonstrate the crop’s economic, nutritional and social importance.

Competitions featuring millet baby food mixes and other millet-based products added a practical dimension to the celebration. Visitors explored exhibitions and sales of millet products, local produce and traditional crafts, while cultural performances celebrated the region’s agricultural heritage. The Shamator Millet Festival ultimately highlighted millets as nutritious, climate-resilient crops capable of supporting sustainable farming, stronger rural livelihoods and healthier communities across Nagaland.

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