Staff Reporter
Dimapur, June 2
In order to upgrade the idea of apple farming in the State, Department of Horticulture, Kohima, led by District Horticulture Officer (DHO), Qhutovi Wotsa, along with farmers of Kohima, undertook a one day field trip by visiting the Central Institute of Horticulture (CIH), Medziphema; State Horticulture Nagaland (SHN) and Itiben Nursery-cum-Study Centre located at Khatkhati.
The department of Nagaland through the field trip aims to promote apple farming which is introduced for the first time in Kohima since 2013.
Qhutovi Wotsa expressed that through such exposure, farmers can improvise their farming skills and produce good quality products which in turn would help in the growth of the States’ economy. He also stated that the department is trying to hone progressive farmers in qualifying for the ongoing aggregation process under the National Horticulture Board (NHB) which could only be approved if the farmers yield good quality products for marketing. He also said that the Department aims to bring up the progressive farmers in providing quality products to cater the national markets.
The group also visited the ‘Itiben’ Nursery-cum-Study Centre owned by (Retired) Maj. Harvansh K Sharma, who is married to a Naga lady. Sharma, who initiated in bringing Anna Spur (an apple that can be grown even in hot places) to Northeast region for the first time more than 5 years back, today grows varieties of fruit items like apples, mangoes, kiwi, strawberries, almond, apricot, peach, pecan nut and many more.
During a short interaction with the farmers, Sharma gave guidelines and ideas as to how such fruits can help them generate a better livelihood and bring developmental changes in the States’ economy as he believes that farmers can only bring development in the country.
‘One should know how to earn money but not how to get money without hard work,’ quipped Sharma. He also stated that in order to become a successful farmer, one should live in farms as he believes that the best time of the day for working is spent on going to the farm from house which otherwise could be utilized in working at the field.
Citing an example of farmers giving up easily with reasons of poor market outreach, Sharma elaborated that farmers should aim in generating more and more products adding that only with the increase in quantity and quality of products, market outreach could be accomplished.
Sharma, who first came to Nagaland in 1968, plans to uplift the prospects and dreams of the Naga farmers through his nursery.
The group also visited that SHN and CIH - a centrally sponsored scheme for providing first hand experience practically for the farmers.
Altogether a group of 17 members initiated by the Horticulture officials of Kohima took active part in the field trip.
