‘Hilltop Conservation’: Women Farmers In Achikuchu Leading Way Towards Sustainable Agriculture

Tsukoto Peak in Achikuchu village, Zunheboto district, is known not only for its scenic beauty but also for the community’s one-of-a-kind conservation efforts. It is located at a height of 2020 meters above sea level.

Encircled by 6 towns including Achikuchu-A, Achikuchu-B, Nihoshe North, Tazuhu, Tuzuhu, and Koiboto, the ridge has been saved for preservation starting around 2021.

The IFAD-funded project Fostering Climate Resilient Upland Farming Systems in the Northeast (FOCUS) in Nagaland state inspired this novel initiative to preserve the hilltop.

The group of women farmers from these six villages performs the slashing for jhum cultivation downhill, where they engage in intercropping, leaving the hilltop untouched.

Farmers in the region where jhum is practised cultivate a variety of crops according to the season, including maize, job’s tears, Khobar (kidney beans), peas, cabbage, carrots, radish, and others.

Dr Auto Yeputho, Locale Task Official, Center Nagaland, Zunheboto, who has been instrumental in the peak preservation and cultivating exercises of the ranchers nearby, featured that there is individual land too however has been given out to the local area for development.

He shared this information with The Morung Express, “These farmers have no idea what bazaar stuff is.” The farmers have never purchased vegetables from the market or felt the need to do so.

In addition, Zunheboto, which is 45 kilometres from Tuzuhu village and takes more than four hours to reach due to the terrible road condition, is their only market access.
Dr Yeputho noted that the year-round growth of crops like peas is another potential, noting that there is a lot of potential for farmers in the area.

In such a manner, she communicated that they have likewise had the option to save enough during merriments through the pay produced while especially referring to the Christmas season.

They have also been successful in multiplying the seeds. We will continue to prosper and work with zeal and vigour with this kind of support,” Kahuli added enthusiastically.

In regard of cholera, every rancher engaged with the development has gathered something like 10 tin (a neighbourhood measure) each in the new past. Dissimilar to Kholar, the lady rancher said, “There are ranchers who have planted two tins of pea seeds and reaped around 5-10 kgs of peas.”

Zunheboto is where the farmers sell their produce. Since farming is the only way they can make a living, they hope to get better products every year.