Kohima: Pongo Village in Longleng district marked a historic milestone on December 5–6 with the launch of the first-ever Taro Festival, organised as part of the 26th Hornbill Festival in collaboration with the Department of Horticulture. Entirely community-led, the event brought together elders, youth and especially women, united by a mission to promote one of the region’s most undervalued yet climate-resilient crops: taro.
Home to more than 10 local varieties, Pongo is particularly known for a prized cultivar called Khedoong, valued for its texture, flavour, versatility and long shelf life. Villagers believe these qualities are shaped by the area’s unique soil and climate.
With the theme “Rooted in Culture: A Journey of Heritage,” the festival highlighted the deep cultural significance taro has held in the daily lives of the villagers for generations.
Honouring the Past, Inspiring the Future
Day one opened with an inaugural programme graced by Special Guest A. Pongshi Phom, MLA, who encouraged the community, especially the youth, to explore opportunities in farming and agro tourism.
Village Head G.B., P. Khangyong, reflected on the theme and took the audience back to a time when taro sustained families through scarcity. He recalled his own childhood when taro was the only food available during difficult times, saying, “Our forefathers survived famine because of taro, and this story has now become an important folklore of our village.”
Showcasing Local Knowledge and Community Enterprise
The festival grounds came alive with agricultural stalls, mostly set up by SHGs and Local agri-based Entrepreneurs. One participant shared, “There is not a single part of the taro plant that is wasted. From leaves to corms, everything is eaten or used as animal feed. There is no break in its cycle of providing food.”
Another artisan explained how taro leaves and corms are also used while crafting the village’s traditional black clay pots, demonstrating the crop’s cultural versatility.
A key highlight of the festival was its strong community first approach. The organising committee consisted largely of village youth. Festival Convenor Along H. Phom said: “The Taro Festival was a farmers’ festival. We prioritised farmers’ knowledge at the forefront, and a major share of the festival earnings went directly back to them. Our aim is to help farmers see taro as a cash crop with economic potential.”
He added that the festival seeks modern interventions such as market linkage, value addition, and scientific support, while also preserving and documenting Indigenous Technical Knowledge (ITK). Future editions are expected to collaborate with more research institutions, Agri-based companies, and more state and central agri-allied departments.
Empowering Farmers Through Knowledge
Day two featured a technical session conducted by KVK ICAR, Longleng, with District Agriculture Officer Maongsangla as Special Guest. She emphasised the nutritional value of taro and its relevance in today’s climate challenged world.
Scientist and experts from various ICAR regional centres led sessions on taro enhancement, value addition, farmers’ rights, and varietal production. The training was attended enthusiastically by local farmers.
A Festival Built on Courage and Community Spirit
Reflecting on the journey, Festival Secretary Aye Keikung noted,
“The first edition was successful even though we started with a small budget and a lot of courage. With a clear vision from the committee, we made it happen. We look forward to bigger and better editions in the years to come, for the crop that has sustained our people for centuries.”
The Taro Festival has shown how a community can unite to preserve a climate-resilient crop, celebrate cultural heritage and empower farmers, one humble root at a time.
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