Crowds poured into the Chiechama Amphitheatre as the 3rd Jhum Fair 2025 put local harvests, women farmers, and a new village marketplace in the spotlight. The day blended celebration with concrete support, marking a step forward for farming in Kohima district.
Celebrating farming and local enterprise
Special Officer to the Chief Minister of Nagaland, Neibalie Rio, attended as special guest and inaugurated the CMK Marketing Shed while addressing farmers and residents. He described agriculture as the primary livelihood in Nagaland, with over 70% of people engaged in terrace and jhum cultivation. He said the government invests in the sector every year and delivers schemes to farmers, including in Chiechama.
Citing Department of Agriculture records under the Chiephobozou SDAO, Rio noted 6,030 PM-Kisan beneficiaries in the block, including 912 from Chiechama. Each receives Rs6,000 a year in three instalments. He said about Rs3,61,80,000 is transferred annually to farmers in the block, with Chiechama’s share around Rs54,72,000.
He highlighted last year’s MOVCD-NER push for Job’s tears at the Ciethu Jhum fields, where 140 farmers from Chiechama registered and received Rs7,000 each through DBT. In 2024, the village harvested about 10MT of Job’s tears, which was marketed to New Delhi.
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He added that the Government of India launched the National Mission on Natural Farming in 2025 to promote traditional, chemical-free methods. Under this scheme, 125 farmers forming one cluster out of five in Chiephobozou block have registered and will receive Rs4,000 each per year in two instalments through DBT, totaling Rs3 lakh for Chiechama.
Strengthening support and preserving tradition
Rio outlined support through the State Rural Livelihood Mission in agriculture and livestock, listing 312 registered SHGs (around 2,311 beneficiaries) in Chiephobozou block, including 39 SHGs (about 294 beneficiaries) from Chiechama. An estimated Rs5,81,29,000 has been transferred to the block through VLOs and SHGs, with Chiechama receiving around Rs31,08,000 so far.
Reflecting on traditional farming as a core of cultural identity, he voiced concern about youth moving away due to education, jobs, and lifestyle in urban areas. He urged families to encourage young people to keep traditional knowledge for food security, self-sufficiency, and cultural continuity. Farming with innovation and pride can be a dignified and rewarding path for Nagaland’s youth, he said.
He suggested CMK partner with the Village Education Committee to teach traditional agriculture in schools as extracurricular activities. He also called for preserving indigenous species and starting a seed bank.
Pointing to Chiechama’s fertile land, suitable climate, and strong connectivity, he appealed to all stakeholders to support the growth of farmers, adding that agriculture will remain the state’s economic backbone.
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Marketing infrastructure and community spirit
CMK representative Thejangunuo Theiinuo said the new marketing shed—housing market space, a CMK office, a conference hall, and toilets—cost Rs55.70 lakh. The project was assured by Chief Minister Dr. Neiphiu Rio during the 1st Jhum Fair in 2023 and executed in 2024–25 under Special Assistance through the Chiephobozou RD Block. The Rural Development Department sanctioned Rs40.00 lakh, and CMK contributed Rs15.70 lakh.
Chiephobozou RD Block BDO, Seyiekhrielie Rio, also addressed the gathering. In the Jhum Fair competition, Sogotsu Khel won first place, with Theguozou Khel and Rio Khel taking second and third. The programme was chaired by CMK President Neikuonuo Rüpreo, with an invocation by Rev. Soneiu Metha, Pastor of Baptist Church Chiechama. Comperes were Pelesano Chadi and Thepfukhrietuo Rüpreo.
