People and Process

7 Reasons Why Bamboo Farming Can Save the Environment

7 Reasons Why Bamboo Farming Can Save the Environment

It is known to everyone that the natural resources are depleting from our planet! Mainstream media have been updating us with alarming reports of our wasteful ways that are affecting the environment we live in. Overpopulation, global warming and deforestation reports are making many of us look at making the necessary changes in our lives to save the environment.
7 Reasons Why Bamboo Farming Can Save the Environment

7 Reasons Why Bamboo Farming Can Save the Environment

It is known to everyone that the natural resources are depleting from our planet! Mainstream media have been updating us with alarming reports of our wasteful ways that are affecting the environment we live in. Overpopulation, global warming and deforestation reports are making many of us look at making the necessary changes in our lives to save the environment.
Bench Terrace- A Traditional Irrigation System of Meghalaya

Bench Terrace- A Traditional Irrigation System of Meghalaya

Meghalaya, one of the eight Northeastern states of India, is blessed with abundant rainfall and large agricultural land. Farmers of this region have been using traditional irrigation systems to channel water sources to their farms and fields.
Umblai Khathynriewshnong Village - Explorer’s Field Trip

Umblai Khathynriewshnong Village - Explorer’s Field Trip

Our team of explorers visited yet another traditional village, Umblai Khathynriewshnong, in East Khasi Hills District, Meghalaya. Get ready to explore, learn and visualize this fascinating village right from here, our adventure travel log.
Farmers Growing Ghost Chili | Zizira

A Trip to Meet Farmers Growing Ghost Chili and Here's What We Found

At the beginning of February 2017, Zizira explorers visited the Umden weekly haat and witnessed a market packed with farmers and local traders. We learned that a lot of produces sold here, such as black pepper, perilla seeds, ginger, and chilies, are collected from a few local backyard farmers and sold collectively at these haats.
The Challenges & Needs of Indian Farmers

The Challenges & Needs of Indian Farmers

Meghalaya, like all the other states in India, is an agrarian state. Eighty-three percent of the population are dependent on agriculture. If we take a closer look, most of them are small-scale farmers. They face a lot of challenges, but have we ever stopped to think whether we know our fellow farmers? Are we doing anything to bring a change to their lives? Do we know about the problems faced by them? Is modern technology bringing any sort of development in their lives?
Fascinating Lore & History of Traditional Food of Meghalaya

Fascinating Lore & History of Traditional Food of Meghalaya

When we talk of the Indian cuisine, we fail to account for dishes from Northeast India. The dishes that originates from Northeast part of India are deeply rooted in the cultures and traditions of the place. The traditional food of Meghalaya are rich and diverse. There are all sorts of food items for everyone.
Remarkable Practices Of Honey Beekeeping In Meghalaya

Remarkable Practices Of Honey Beekeeping In Meghalaya

Honey bees are, perhaps, one of the few insects that are found almost everywhere in the world. They have been around for 35 million years. In comparison, humans have inhabited the planet for only about 1.5 to 2 million years. Honey bees and humans are interconnected in many ways.

If the bee disappeared off the surface of the globe, then man would have only four years of life left. No more animals, no more men. – Albert Einstein

The Humility of a Traditional Farmer’s Family

The Humility of a Traditional Farmer’s Family

A farmer works purposefully, he does not waste one moment of his time. If he misses a day, there will be no hay. If he plows a little too late, there will be no harvest. If he seeds one hour too late and a storm comes, then all his work will be undone. Their livelihood depends entirely on nature.

To put it in simple words, farmers are humble and hard-working. This article is about a family of traditional farmers from Nongtraw village, Meghalaya. Our team of explorers met them on their recent trip. They spent two days with the farmers and came away fascinated, having seen and experienced the humble nature of these folks.

A Trip to Mawsynram - The Wettest Place on Earth!

A Trip to Mawsynram - The Wettest Place on Earth!

Are you ready for a journey to the wettest place on earth? Ready to learn what the Zizira explorers found on their recent trip to Mawsynram? Join us to learn more about the traditional farmers and about some rare produce, unique to our state of Meghalaya.
Khasi Heritage Foods | Zizira

Khasi Heritage Foods – an Amazing Find from a Village in a Deep Valley

Ready for a journey 3000 steps down? A trek to a village, deep down a valley, to meet villagers farming the traditional way? And, to meet a beekeeper who collects honey which may well be called ‘Heritage Honey’, as it is collected the way it has been for centuries?
Bhut Jolokia Farmer of Umtangngi, Meghalaya

Bhut Jolokia Farmer of Umtangngi, Meghalaya

In an earlier post, Zizira brought out a story on planet Earth’s fiercest chili: Northeast India’s Assam Bhut Jolokia Chili, with over a million Scoville Heat Units that far exceeds Mexico’s Red Savina’s record of half a million Scovilles.

Bhut Jolokia is also known as Ghost Chili, Naga Mircha, Naga Morich or Raja Mircha
Success Story: Farmer Angela Shangoi of West Khasi Hills

Success Story: Farmer Angela Shangoi of West Khasi Hills

News about successful farmers from the Northeast of India is always cause for celebration for the Zizira explorers.

A report on a lady farmer from the district of West Khasi Hills, shared with team Zizira by Canning Shabong, Assistant Director of Agriculture, was extra special. We bring you the highlights. Hope it inspires you too, as much as it did us. Read her story.

Food Preservation Methods – the Choices

Food Preservation Methods – the Choices

The Northeast of India is part of one of the 4 biodiversity hotspots of India — called the Indo Burma region. Not surprising that Meghalaya, one of the 8 sates of the NE region of India, is richly endowed with a variety of valuable herbs, spices and other vegetation. Our enterprise, Zizira, run by locals operates from Meghalaya and we are here with a purpose — to unleash the unrealized agricultural and horticultural potential of our state and help farmers improve their livelihood. We strive to responsibly source pure, unadulterated, nutrient-rich produce of our region, directly from the farmers and reach them to conscious customer across India.