Small and marginal farmers are the core of the Indian rural economy constituting 85% of the total farming community. Agriculture farming in India is a century-old activity. The Indian food market stands as the 6th-largest globally with food processing covering over 32% of the country’s food industry. Thus, we see that India is enriched by both traditional and commercial forms of agriculture.
The two methods of cultivation among the Naga tribes are Jhum and terrace cultivation. In Nagaland, agriculture occupies a huge role in the lives of the people and is greatly shaped by traditional skill and indigenous grip along geographical and other factors, variation of climatic and soil conditions result in diversified cultivation.

Peren district is also popularly known as the Green district of Nagaland with the highest concentration of flora and fauna, inhabited by the Zeliang, Rongmei, and Kuki in majority. The main crops cultivated by the farmers of Peren Districts are Rice, yam, ginger, maize, king chilli, tapioca tomatoes etc. Besides vegetables and rice, forest products are abundant for the inhabitants.

Development Association of Nagaland (DAN) implemented the Facilitating Agricultural Resilient Measure (FARM) North East (NE) project supported by Caritas India reaching out to 1,612 smallholder families under Dansiripar, Jalukie and Athibung Blocks of Peren and Chumoukedima district of Nagaland.

Various interventions such as small farm household orientation on the cultivator consumer connectivity concept (CCCC), mapping of potential products and linkages with credibility agencies for smallholder farmers (SHFs), and interface meetings with potential agencies for possible marketing network linkages. However, the agencies or institution linkages were not responsive, putting SHFs at risk of marketing their farm produce. The Farmers were also dependent on middlemen to collect and sell their products, which did not give benefits to the farmers.

The FARM NE team reached out to 1,065 SHFs in 12 villages located 30-50 km from Jalukie, a small yet vibrant town in Peren district Nagaland. Where farmers themselves sell their products.
At some point, farmers relied on middlemen to sell their farm produce, which included vegetables, fruits, Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs), and handicrafts. Some farmers would occasionally visit the Jalukie daily markets to sell their vegetables and fruits, although this was confined to a few farmers from nearby villages. As a result, the team facilitated discussion and consultation with the SHFs over the establishment of a marketing shed. The team also has multiple conversations with the administration about permission.

The FARM NE team facilitates a collective representation letter that has been signed by representatives from 12 villages of SHFs. The farmers eventually identified and verified the location along with the NZPO president. The farmers’ request was approved by Shri Kiusumong, ADC Peren. The marketing shed was constructed with the support of Caritas India (CI) in purchasing the materials, the farmers contributed their labour.

The marketing shed was formally inaugurated on 29th October 2023 by Mr. Kevipele, NZPO president in the presence of all Town ward Chairmen, the government line department team and representatives from all the 12 villages. He urges that the Ward Chairman and leaders encourage farmers to offer organic items in the Rural Organic Market. Farmers sell their products in the shed every weekday. Every day, 20-25 farmers come to sell their products and on average, every farmer makes Rs. 800-1500/day, the farmers also bring goods from their neighbours and relatives who cannot come to the market due to the work in the field.

Currently, 72 women from 12 targeted communities are consistently selling their agricultural products at the Rural Organic Market. Mrs. Rokosenuo, FPA stated that we provided a village roaster to our farmers to sell their farm products so that all farmers could benefit from marketing. As a result, 12-17 varieties of vegetables, NTFPs, and handicrafts were found in the market. Possibly by establishing a marketing shed, farmers benefit from and are exposed to the marketing system.

As the farmers’ farm productions have increased their output and productivity over time, the team is working hard to establish a connection with various institutions and the Organic AC market in Chumoukedima.