NESFAS on January 31, 2020 conducted an awareness programme to promote indigenous food system for the youth at Liarsluid community during the Tri Village Winter Festival. The event was organised by three Ri Bhoi communities — Liarsluid, Khweng and Madanrtiang.
NESFAS executive director Melari Nongrum spoke about the importance of food sovereignty. She quoted La Via Campasida definition of Food Sovereignty and said, “It is the right of peoples to healthy and culturally appropriate food produced through ecologically sound and sustainable methods, and their right to define their own food and agriculture systems.”
Nongrum said, “The communities along with the youths and NESFAS can now uplift traditional farming system and work together hand-in-hand to fight climate change. We should also urge the government to prioritise the above mentioned points.”
On the other hand, local artist (musician/singer) Banker Kharkongor performed to connect with the youth from the three communities. He performed two original songs – his all time hit ‘Sohtrun’ and a song that he created specially for the ebvnt ‘Jingbam tynrai lajong, ngin nang kyntiew sha jrong’ which translates to ‘We will lift our traditional food’.
Several youth and other community members participated in the event where NESFAS shared the importance of indigenous food systems.
Department Of Social Work students also helped organise the festival as a part of their fieldwork.
