Noklak: Taste of Noklak society (TONS) is a society formed by Noklak farmers and SP Noklak launched 15 products like Mithun meat pickles, Michinga, neem and lemon soaps, aloe vera and neem gels, tulsi products, lotions, Michinga( xanthozylum) extract, Large cardamom extract, kiwi candies, mango juice, pineapple juice, Perilla seeds candy, wild apple juice, Ginger extract, shampoos, and other herbal products at Noklak in presence of DC Noklak, SP Noklak, Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Tuensang, Noklak NGOs, medical department Dr. Jongkoi and Taste of Noklak society (TONS).
The program was chaired by Mrs. Cham, Member TONS, and the invocation was read by Mr. Kai, Pastor Kusong Village.
Welcome note was given by Mrs. Sungmo, a member of TONS, and testimony explaining the origin and works of society was explained by Mrs. M. Mongshai, Chairperson TONS. She stated that it was SP Noklak Dr. Pritpal Kaur IPS who started this society by giving them the name of TONS(Taste of Noklak society) to help the women, students, and entrepreneurs here hence helped in encouraging and in getting training at Dimapur CIH Medziphema and KVK Tuensang under Dr. Sisharenla. Thereafter they got training from Mr. Dharambir Kamboj(President of India Awardee). She thanked SP Noklak for providing a multipurpose food processing machine too which is helping them in making herbal products. She stated that they as 13 members started as a team from different villages and started making products on a home scale basis even during daytimes and till late hours. Their products were liked by many people. Later they started properly packaging, labeling, food testing, branding, and marketing. She stated that they are thinking to increase their production and aim to represent at the hornbill festival also.
Farm management was explained by Mr. Yanger Kitch from KVK Tuensang who explained contour farming and scientific management of farms.
Agronomy was explained by Mr. Tokiho ACTO Agronomy KVK Tuensang. He emphasized learning sustainability in production, marketing, proper labeling, and promotion of the products.
A short speech was delivered by Superintendent of Police Noklak, Dr. Pritpal Kaur IPS who congratulated everyone on the successful step ahead of value addition and emphasized that each group should keep on teaching all these methodologies to groups of other villages as a master trainer. Like Taste of Noklak society (TONS) gave training to Kingniu Village and Pangsha Village SHG and now Pangsha Village SHG should give training to next village group and hence to have the Chain of Livelihood as her aim. She asked the youth and dropout students indulging in bad habits like drugs etc. to choose paths of hard work like farming and value addition chains instead.
She asked to sow 10 plants when one plant is cut to maintain ecosystems and sustainability and to do a proper study of marketing to know demand and supply concept. Herbal products have good demand hence it can help the farmers and young entrepreneurs to raise their income generation and hence in education, good health, and living facilities for their generations to come. She also explained legal procedures, medical clearance for products, biodiversity management, geotagging and geographical indicators purpose.
Deputy Commissioner of Noklak Mr. Hiazu Meru lighted the candle of hope and success at the program and congratulated everyone present there at the program for the successful production of the products. He stated that farming is one of the emerging sectors where educated youth can make a bright career. He explained the concept of division of labor where farmers on one end and value addition by SHGs on another end should be working as teams. He stated the importance of making value-added products because far-flung villages suffer many times as perishable items get wasted sometimes because of lack of markets and transportation problems. He urged us to understand the importance of the FSSAI license number, and other requirements before getting products on market.
Later Mr. Longmayanger KVK explained the apps of agriculture which can be used by the farmers. Mrs. Chinge(Member TONS) read the benediction.
TONS along With Noklak FPO are going to represent at CIH Medziphema on 11th Nov.2021 at the Horticulture expo and then at the Delhi exhibition with help of CIH Medziphema Dimapur.