Programme for sustainable horticulture in Nagaland held

Dimapur, Sep. 25 (EMN): The department of horticulture organised a programme on the theme “bridging the gap towards sustainable horticulture in Nagaland “ under the patronage of Governor, PB Acharya on September 24, at Capital Convention Centre, Kohima, sponsored by the Ministry of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers’ Welfare, government of India.
Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDHC) is a centrally sponsored scheme for the holistic growth of the Horticulture sector covering fruits, vegetables, root and tuber crops, mushroom, spices, flowers, aromatic plants, coconut, cashew, cocoa and bamboo. MIDH will work closely with National Mission on

Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) towards development of micro-irrigation for all horticulture crops and protected cultivation in farmer’s field.
The governor, in his brief address, said that India is a land of villages and is an agricultural country, where 68-70% of total population are in agricultural sector. He added that India was the richest country thousands of years ago and even today India is rich but Indians are poor and that is a thing to ponder upon.

Acharya said unless the Northeast develops, India cannot progress, so he appealed to all to change the mindset, be responsible, be a true Christian and ask oneself whether they are doing the right thing because “whatever situation we are in today, it is our own creation and if one state is not strong than India is not strong.”

He further said India produces 3, 00,000 graduates every year comes out but many are not employable, therefore, he said universities should provide education which will help the state to create wealth and empowerment and also see that young people are taught to be giver of jobs rather than job seekers.

He also mentioned that education and horticulture are the backbone and farmers have the duty to make Nagaland a “golden Nagaland.” Therefore, he urged that whoever is empowered with education and position should see that requirements to make Nagaland self sufficient, which will be the first step for golden Nagaland.

Principal Secretary (Horti) MK Mero, in his keynote address, informed that the horticulture department over the years has introduced new schemes and horticulture technology has spread across the State. Sixteen departmental farm has helped in achieving to bring fruits and flowers into commercial scale production.

He lamented that within few years time, they will be facing the problem of marketing, being a hilly area transportation of big trucks is a problem and also domestic cargo facility is not available exporting to other states will be a big issue.

He also pointed that there are several schemes under National Board of Horticulture but Nagaland state cannot avail much of the schemes due to fund constraints as for the last 10 to 11 years only INR 1 cr. was sanctioned for Nagaland. He believed that there will soon be a possibility of availing 50% grants and organic chain value.

He expressed that the farmers should be made more aware through seminars and workshops in the state along with the financial institutions because the state credit availability ratio is 33-35% which is very low.

He further informed that marketing which is the main issue will be looked into by the department and facilitate a wholesale market for the horticulture and agriculture products very soon. He added that state organic policy would be certified within 2 to 3 years for the producers. He said that the department intends to put more products to organic certification process. The department is also taking lots of initiatives to help the farmers to develop a commercial scale production.

Atul R Patwardhan from Chindamani Consultancy & Services, in his address, highlighted the various subsidy schemes under National Horticulture Board and on how to avail the schemes. He also informed on how to start horticulture and floriculture projects in the state. He said that from 2009 till date, only 10 farmers participated in the horticulture board scheme which could be due to lack of awareness on the schemes. He appraised on the advantages of participation in the government schemes, where farmers availing the government schemes can get subsidy and get term loans from bank and also get the opportunity to use modern technique of farming.

He further highlighted on the degradation which is a mandatory component of high tech cultivation project that saves water usage and also highlighted on the schemes available for pipeline, water tank, and water pond of plastic lining.

He briefed on planting materials, where farmers in order to get any good produce should use virus free and healthy plants for purchase. He further added that the government has given certain norms for any work and farmers have to complete the project within the certain norms set by the government.
He said that projects are given not only to farmers but to several agencies and local manpower as well, so that problems of unemployment can also be solved.