Kohima, April 27 (EMN): Over the years, the department of Horticulture in Nagaland has carved a niche in horticultural produce both in the national and international markets. A significant shift towards horticulture is evident in the state as indicated by an increase in the area and production during the past decade.
The department of Horticulture was created after the bifurcation from the Agriculture department as a full-fledged directorate on April 1, 1992. The department celebrated its 25th anniversary at the Capital Convention in Kohima town this afternoon.
Governor of Nagaland PB Acharya was the chief guest of the event.
Highlighting the status of horticultural development in Nagaland, head of department, N Amos Ao said that the department had shifted its focus toward organic farming and to converting the state into an ‘organic hub’ by bringing its ‘organic by tradition’ lands into ‘organic by design’ land.
Currently, 3750 hectares have been certified organic and 1000 hectares more are in the final stages of conversions with crops such as large cardamom, ginger, turmeric, pineapple, and vegetables etc. The crops have high market value offering ample scope for development of organic farming in the state, he said.
The challenge now, he said, is to identify crops which are in high demand in the organic market and intensify cultivation under organic farming to increase their production to meet the demand of the market; it is also to ensure that farmers earn premium prices for their organic produce.
He also pointed out some of the drawbacks like lack of availability of high yielding varieties, outdated cultivation practices, lack of modern agro-technologies and mechanisation, weak post harvest management infrastructure and poor processing capabilities resulting in huge post harvest losses.
Hence, he asserted that the efforts of the department needs to be oriented towards shifting the sector towards a much more productive, internationally competitive and diversified horticultural sector.
Ao also emphasized on the need to provide strong marketing linkages for horticultural products from the state, both within and beyond, to the export markets; this is to boost and uplift the economy through horticulture.
Stating that horticulture industry if a boon industry of the state which can give a huge facelift to the economy of the state, he said opportunities should be left open for this sector to emerge from its cocoon into a well organised and sustainable sector though the right interventions and policies.
Addressing the gathering of the day’s event, Governor Acharya said horticulture was a rapidly developing sector, finding increasing importance in the society. He stressed on the need to boost productivity and increase economic performance in the horticulture sector by using new techniques ‘so that the per capita income of farmers would improve.’
Nagaland is blessed with good soil and good climatic condition suitable for various fruits and vegetables, Acharya said. Also, he referred to most of horticultural produce being perishable and for which need to be consumed fresh. Acharya said there was a need to develop facilities for preservation of perishable products through cold storage facilities.
Stating his concern for the welfare of farmers, Acharya said focus should not only be upon a bountiful production, but on all round development of the ‘kisans.’
Congratulating the department during the occasion, the governor reminded the departmental personnel to ‘carefully analyse its achievements as well as their shortfalls and take immediate steps to improve performance.’
The parliamentary secretary for Horticulture, Kejong Chang, and the first director for Horticulture, Dr K Chuba addressed the gathering.
