Dimapur, July 15 (EMN): Terming the present situation ‘extraordinary times’ not only because of the Covid pandemic but as nature and climate have not favoured due to very less rain this year, the Agriculture Production Commissioner (APC), Y Kikheto Sema, appealed to all the Agri and Allied departments to properly and timely implement the schemes and programmes and cautioned that failure to implement them would be seriously dealt with.
Kikheto stated this during a core committee meeting of Agri and Allied departments held in the Secretariat conference hall, Kohima, on Thursday which was called to take stock of the drought-like situation in the state. He informed the members that crops have fail to germinate in most of the fields adding that even the germinated crops were attacked by the fall army worm (FAW).
Stating that jhum cultivation has been adversely affected due to insufficient rain, Kikheto expressed apprehension that terrace cultivation could also be gradually affected if similar trend continues.
To address the issue of water scarcity, Kikheto has advocated creating more water bodies, check dam, rejuvenation of ponds and streams and rain harvesting so that agricultural activities are not hampered due to drought as experienced this year. He stated that food security and doubling of crops could be achieved only when there is availability of water.
After thorough discussion, the committee decided that all the departments involved in projects and schemes related to irrigation and water should make initiatives for creation of water bodies etc. in order to help in agricultural activities. The committee also decided to distribute Rabi seeds to the farmers by September so that the loss borne by them might be compensated to some extent.
Besides, the committee also agreed to encourage rearing of eri, goats and other livestock to supplement the income and livelihood of the marginal farmers of the state. It has also directed all the AHoD and HoDs to ensure that the district/ sub-divisional officers are stationed in their posting place and undertake timely monitoring and supervision of the schemes and programmes.
Meanwhile, it was agreed that the committee members and district officers would make field visit to drought affected areas to take stock of the ground situation and to plan out necessary required interventions for the affected farmers. A review meeting has been scheduled in the month of September.
The committee also proposed for housing all the district officers of Dimapur Agri and Allied departments at administrative building at Agri Expo, Dimapur, for better coordination and to facilitate the farmers under one roof.
During the meeting, departments including Agriculture, Horticulture, and Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, Fisheries, Land Resources, Sericulture, Soil and Water Resources and Cooperation presented powerpoint presentation and highlighted the extent of damage of various crops across the districts in Nagaland due to erratic rainfall.