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Lucy Ngullie Thomas interacting with beneficiaries during the programme.[/caption]
Dimapur, Aug. 2 (EMN): The Horticulture department organised a two day training programme on ‘package and practice of dragon fruit cultivation’ on Thursday Aug. 2 at the State Horticulture Nursery at Green Park in Dimapur.
An update from the DIPR has informed that the director of Horticulture, Dr. RE Lotha, while addressing the programme, informed that the training was being organised for sensitising the farmers and beneficiaries for cultivation and promotion of dragon fruit owing to its multiple health benefits as well as high market returns.
Informing that the government of India (GOI) has extended support for cultivation of dragon fruits covering 100 hectares of land, Dr. Lotha advised the first batch of beneficiaries to take up the venture seriously in order to enable the programme to move forward in the first venture for promoting dragon fruit cultivation in Nagaland.
Explaining that the GOI expects beneficiaries for investing 50%, Dr. Lotha said that the department will provide the planting materials and logistics for irrigation but will not be able to give total support for proper establishment.
He said, ‘INR 2 lakh per hectare will be given per hectare in three phases in the ratio of 60: 20: 20.’
Stating that dragon fruit, a cactus vine grows suitably in the tropical countries, Dr. Lotha said that the cultivation will cover 57 hectares in Dimapur, 17 hectares in Peren, 16 hectares in Wokha, and the rest in Mokokchung district.
Lotha observed farming as knowledge driven, intellectually self satisfying, and income generating enterprise, the update stated.
The proprietor of Dream Dragon Fruits, Lucy Ngullie Thomas, was the resource person. She described the beneficiaries as the selected few lucky ones and encouraged them to be passionate as they embarked in their venture of dragon fruit cultivation.
Highlighting on the health benefits of dragon fruits, Ngullie said, ‘the fruit is very popular for reducing sugar level, for controlling high and low blood pressure, and cancer patients.’ Further, she informed that the fruit has high anti oxidant proteins.
“We have everything like land, good climate and hard working people, so why can’t we grow?” She challenged.
She dubbed farming as a noble profession by considering the fact that the population are being fed and therefore encouraged the farmers to continue farming with passion and dedication, the update read. After the formal training session, the beneficiaries, numbering more than 70, were taken for field visit to the Dream Dragon Fruit Farm at Shitovi Village in Dimapur.
In the farm, the resource person explained about the processes, ways, and varieties of methods of dragon fruit cultivation.
The district Horticulture officer, Temsu Longkumer, presided over the formal training programme and also accompanied the farmers during the field visit, the DIPR informed.
