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Neiba Kronu plants a sapling during the launch of Trees for Wealth movement at Hotel Vivor in Kohima on Friday.[/caption]
Dimapur, Nov. 22 (EMN): The Entrepreneurs’ Associates (EA) launched Trees for Wealth movement at Hotel Vivor in Kohima on Friday with Minister of Planning & Co-ordination, Land Revenues & Parliamentary Affairs Neiba Kronu as a special patron.
At the launch event, 10, 000 fruit trees were adopted by patrons, who have come forward to invest 50 percent sapling cost so that farmers can avail at a subsidised rate. This was informed by the head of communications, Entrepreneurs’ Associates through a press release.
The Trees for Wealth movement is an attempt to plant two million fruit trees across the Nagaland covering 200 villages by providing saplings to farmers at 50 percent cost with the other half to be supported through investments and CSRs.
Addressing the august gathering of heads of departments, educational institutes, civil societies and churches, Kronu thanked “EA for the initiative of contributing to livelihoods of the state and climate change globally.” The special patron of the programme said that “this was the way forward and the right direction for Nagas who are blessed naturally with ideal climate and fertile land.”
Speaking on ‘Why Trees For Wealth?’ EA’s CEO and coordinator Neichute Doulo said, “We hope, such a movement will help our young people to see economic opportunities in our land-based economy. We hope our young people will not become absentee fathers by having the option to be engaged in jobs that does not keep them away from their families which is often detrimental for families. Our land-based economic development will hopefully keep our family together.”
Doulo assured that it will “reverse urbanisation by encouraging people to see opportunities in our villages.” He further added that “EA prides in being based on the foundation of local contributions firmly rooted on the concept of Feast of Merit and giving back to society. Till date we are proud to say that EA’s success can be attributed to local participation and support from community.”
The CEO also assured that the movement will make Nagaland the “Fruit Hub in India” and transform the economic landscape of the state. He said that Trees for Wealth is the perfect answer to the huge unemployment crisis faced by the state today.
Speaking to the gathering, Naga thinker and elder Niketu Iralu stressed on the need for civil societies to be engaged in movements that will benefit the society.
A launch video on Trees for Wealth was screened at the programme chaired by Susan Angami, lead trainer of EA. Musician, Khyo TCK, Akho Chielie and Zubeni Kikon also performed at the event.
