14k Naga farmers harvest new prospects from centre’s Food Security Act thrust

Dimapur, July 30 : With the National Food Security Act having been placed for implementation in the state of Nagaland, impetus on allied production sectors such as the agriculture and allied sectors are being given. One of the thrust is capacity-building for farmers.

The National Food Security Act, 2013 (also Right to Food Act) is an Act of the Parliament of India which aims to provide subsidized food grains to approximately two thirds of India’s 1.2 billion people. It was signed into law on 12 September 2013, retroactive to 5 July 2013.
During 2015-2016, more than 14, 000 farmers from across the state benefited from capacity building programs and training.

A number of ongoing schemes and programs the central government have inbuilt components for capacity-building and training for farmers in the field of agriculture and allied sectors.

The training programs have been instated by the ministry of Agriculture to acquaint the farming community with latest farming technologies which in turn would translate into–the central government hopes–improved and increased agricultural production.

During a session in the Rajya Sabha several months ago, the minister of State for Agriculture Mohanbhai Kalyanjibhai Kundariya had said that “farmers gained knowledge and skill on latest technologies through training and hands-on experience resulting in increased productivity and income.”

The skills imparted to farmers, the minister said, were “wide ranging and include improved agronomic practices, farm diversification, mechanization, animal husbandry, marketing etc.”

Some of these capacity-building programs that aims at equipping the farming community include the National Mission on Agricultural Extension and Technology, the Mission on Integrated Development of Horticulture & Horticulture Mission for North Eastern States & Himalayan states, the National Mission on Oilseed and Oil Palm, the Krishi Vigyan Kendras under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, the National Livestock Mission; schemes of NFDB of Animal Husbandry, dairy and fishery, and the National Scheme of Welfare of Fishermen.

Information regarding allocation and expenditure of funds during each of the last three years and the current year under various schemes are listed on in the table.