The 4th Millets Festival under the theme “Small but mighty: Our Millets, Our Identity” was celebrated at the Public Ground Shamator Town on August 6, 2024. The event was organised by Self Employed Women Association (SEWA) Shamator in collaboration with North East Network (NEN) and Millet Network of India (MINI). Over 300 participants from 9 villages and 11 wards under Shamator Town attended the Festival, along with representatives from various Government Departments, NGOs, Community leaders and elders.
“Millets are for everyone” stated K.Esther, Convenor of the Millet Festival Committee at SEWA Shamator during her address on “Our Millet Story”. Speaking on the journey of Millets Festival in Shamator, K.Esther shared that during the challenging year of 2020, when Covid-19 global pandemic hit, Shamator town faced food scarcity. Families struggled due to imposition of restrictions on mobility, lack of food supplies, poor road conditions and inaccessibility. It was during this crisis that members of SEWA decided to reevaluate their food systems and take collective action. With Millet seeds donated by communities from Chassir, Rurur and Leangkonger village, SEWA embarked on its millet journey. In 2021, the first Millets Festival was organised with the goal of raising awareness about the cultural, ecological, economical, health and nutritional significance of millets. Since then, August 6th has been officially designated as Millets Festival Day by the Yimkhiung Tribal Council. K.Esther emphasises that SEWA’s work with millets contributes to communities’ wellbeing and called on everyone to participate in strengthening the local food systems.
In his keynote address, Y Nuklu Phom, Chairman of Lemsachenlok Society highlighted, “we are failing to understand the importance of sustainability but rather seeking subsidies – what we get for free”. He emphasised on the need to reduce market dependency and Government subsidies by focussing on the model of 3 C’s: Conduciveness of Soil, Crop Compatibility and Climate adaptability. As farmers, understanding and practising the 3 C’s Is crucial for sustainability. Nuklu urged farmers to make informed and wise choices when new crops are introduced. He stated that “while we are all chasing newly introduced crops for our land, we are losing our own indigenous seeds, our identity”. And this, he stated, poses a significant threat to communities’ food security. He lauded SEWA Shamator, NEN and MINI for their efforts in conserving indigenous crops such as Millets and reaching out to more communities. He highlighted the multiple benefits of millets and encouraged farmers to continue cultivating. Drawing a parallel, he emphasised that just as certain festivals like the Hornbill Festival lose meaning without hornbills, a Millets festival without millets would similarly lose its meaning, hence the need to safeguard this crop.
Special Guest, Chubatemjen, Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Shamator highlighted the significance of millets, emphasising that millets are one of the oldest crops. Once a staple in the communities’ diet, it has gradually been taken over by crops like rice. In his address, he stressed the need to create more awareness about millets through training, seminars and partnerships with institutions like State Agriculture Research Stations. Such initiatives will enhance communities’ efforts in cultivating and preserving millets. Chubatemjen encouraged the communities present to protect the crop and the traditional knowledge associated with it. The DC mentioned that India ranks the 3rd largest producer of millets globally. The economic benefits and the market opportunities of millets were also highlighted.
A storytelling competition on millets was a part of the festival, where youths representing 9 Villages participated. Additionally, the event highlights included a Farmers market, an Agrobiodiversity display, and cultural performances on Millet sowing and harvesting by Millet farmers from Muleangkiur village.
