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Additional Secretary of DAC & FW, Ministry of A&FW, GOI, Jalaj Shrivastava, and other officials inaugurating the Hi-tech vegetable seedlings production unit at State Horticulture Nursery at Dimapur on January 23.[/caption]
Dimapur, Jan. 23 (EMN): Additional Secretary of DAC & FW, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare, Government of India, Jalaj Shrivastava, has inaugurated a Hi-Tech Vegetable Seedlings Production Unit at State Horticulture Nursery, Dimapur, on January 23.
Addressing the gathering after the inauguration, Shrivastava called on the gathering to be proactive to cope with variation of seasons and weather patterns. While pointing out that products have to be good, he said prices of the commodities should be affordable at the same time. He also impressed upon the gathering on the importance of post-harvest management and packaging.
In a keynote address, director of horticulture Dr. R Elithung Lotha said the state is doing relatively well in horti sector adding farmers are earning well. He said the department has achieved many success stories through the implementation of Technology Mission Programmes under the Ministry of Agriculture.
Stating that many buyers have shown interest in horti products, he said Nagaland has the potential of exporting organic produces.
Dimapur with a population of over 3-4 lakhs, Elithung said the demand for vegetables and fruits are high. He pointed on the importance of having such a unit to produce quality planting materials to meet the demands. He also apprised of the department’s plan to send officers and young educated youth with interest in horticulture sector for skill development training to run the unit on a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode.
The Hi-Tech Vegetable Seedlings Production Unit at State Horticulture Nursery, Dimapur, was constructed at the cost of INR 2 crore by Saveer Company.
Secretary to the state government, Alan Gonmei, chaired the inaugural programme, while the deputy director of horticulture Jerry Patton pronounced the vote of thanks.