NERAMAC urges Nagaland millet farmers to embrace market-driven pricing

DIMAPUR — The North-Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation Ltd. (NERAMAC) hosted a two-day “Promotion of Millets in India” event at Zone Niathu by the Park in Chümoukedima, aiming to raise awareness about the nutritional and economic benefits of millets and encourage their cultivation and consumption.

Rajiv Ashok, the managing director of NERAMAC, addressed farmers and entrepreneurs, urging them to adopt market-driven pricing strategies for their agricultural products, particularly millets. He cautioned against setting prices too high, as this could deter buyers and hinder market access.

Ashok advised the farmers and entrepreneurs to “appreciate the market outside the borders”, stating that while they may value their products because of its uniqueness and the effort they put in, the rate should not be too high. He shared that this as a significant challenge faced by NERAMAC in facilitating trade for northeastern products.

He also stressed the need to promote millets as a healthier alternative to rice, the consumption of which, according to him, has contributed to India’s growing diabetes epidemic along with unhealthy lifestyles. He suggested incorporating millets into traditional diets, as was done by ancestors, to improve public health.

While acknowledging Nagaland’s significant millet production, Ashok encouraged producers to explore value-added products derived from millets. He noted that although Nagaland’s millets are superior to those from some other northeastern states, there is a need for greater awareness and innovation in utilising this versatile grain.

S Yongchang Phom, the additional director of Nagaland Agriculture Department, also highlighted the importance of millets, recalling their historical significance as a staple food in the region. He described millets as “smart food” due to their nutritional value, environmental sustainability, and resilience to harsh conditions.

Millets are often referred to as the last standing crop in times of drought, and they have a shorter cultivation cycle, can withstand variations in moisture, temperature and soil type, and require less cost of cultivation, in addition to providing sustainable source of income for farmers, he maintained.

In Nagaland, millets are mostly grown in Tuensang, Phek, Kiphire and some parts of Kohima district, he added.

Phom highlighted the positive impact of the International Year of Millets 2023, stating that it led to increased promotion and distribution of millet seeds by the Nagaland government, resulting in positive changes in the state. He encouraged millet cultivators and entrepreneurs to continue embracing this valuable crop.

Anjal Kumar Dutta, the deputy general manager of NERAMAC, outlined the organisation’s role in supporting farmers and entrepreneurs in the Northeast. NERAMAC, established in 1982 as a government of India enterprise with North Eastern Council, Shillong as a promoter, and under the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), focuses on sourcing, procuring, and marketing agricultural products from the region to wider markets.

He also highlighted NERAMAC’s achievements in securing Geographical Indication (GI) tags for 13 northeastern products, including Naga tree tomato and sweet cucumber from Nagaland.

He said that NERAMAC’s mission includes providing comprehensive marketing solutions to farmers and agri-horticultural entrepreneurs in the Northeast, supporting women-led enterprises, and promoting value addition to fruits, vegetables, and spices to reduce waste and enhance farmers’ incomes.

The event also featured stalls showcasing various millet products from entrepreneurs and farmer producer organisations from Nagaland and Assam.

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