Collective Farming holds relevance in the present crisis when food security is at stake due to the different climate change scenarios. It addresses the challenge of manual labour for agriculture as several families come together to work in allocated land. With the basic principle of collective ownership, it infuses the feeling of cooperation and sharing of resources.

Inbung is a small village in Athibung block of Peren District in Nagaland under the Caritas India FARM North East programme. The village is inhabited by Kuki ethnic group who primarily depend on subsistence agriculture. The agricultural practice of these Kukis does not seem to help them to make their ends meet. They could not have food security throughout the year and used to do manual labour to earn their livelihood.

Development Association of Nagaland (DAN), a Caritas India partner began working with this community with the inception of FARM programme funded by Misereor. Slowly the people of Inbung village started developing interest in project activities and took an active part in agri-based trainings and programmes.

The training helped the farmers to discuss the possibilities of setting up a collective farm in their village. They also sought the guidance of the FARM team under DAN in understanding collective farming methods and possibilities. With due guidance from the DAN staff, 14 farmers consisting of 6 females and 8 males decided to form a group. They requested the village headman to allocate them a piece of land to carry out their activity. The headman allocated approximately 2500 sq ft of land to start their initiative. The group contributed Rs 100 each for a common fund to incur the expenses involved in the process.

The work started with clearing of land and preparing it for cultivation in March 2020. The members of the group gave a minimum of two days a week for the common farm. Initially, the group cultivated yam and maize as the main crop. Some seasonal vegetables were also planted. They started harvesting the vegetables by mid-May. Therein the group sowed Ginger which is yet to be harvested. They also planted several fruit trees and bamboo saplings along the boundaries of the plot keeping in mind the benefits they are going to reap out of the cash crops at a later part.

“Being a member of the club not only helps me to generate income but also helps me to learn more about farming. We the members exchange a lot of knowledge about farming and I think that is helping us to move forward towards achieving sustainable farming,” shares Ms Nengneithem, a member of Inbung village farmers club. It is also worth mentioning that even this group was affected by the ongoing pandemic and it was challenging for them to work in their field during the National lockdown was in place.

By May, the group was able to generate nearly Rs. 15,000 by selling of vegetables, maize and Yam along with NTFPs collected as well as firewood. They are hopeful to have a good harvest of ginger by the end of the season and a good crop of winter vegetables. They are also expecting that they would generate at least Rs.30,000 by the end of the season.

Inbung collective farm is very young as of now, however, this is perhaps the most needed beginning and it is poised to achieve profitability and sustainability considering the dedication and enthusiasm of the members.