Our Reporter
Dimapur, Nov. 21 (EMN): State Agriculture Production Commissioner (APC), Y Kikheto Sema, has said in Nagaland there is not much scope for other industries except in agri. and allied sector.
The APC said this after launching the vocational course on agri and allied sector on Monday at Living Bible College, Ayinato, in Niuland district, the first theological college in Nagaland to introduce the vocational course.
Sema said the course is important because in Nagaland there is no scope for other industries except in agri and allied sector, but the people have been neglecting the sector.
“Agriculture is important sector but we have failed,” he said.
He said the state annually imports meat and meat products worth approximately INR 1,259 crore. But, even the meat imported is not of good quality, he said.
He also shared that there is less scope of getting government jobs as they have become saturated and also the government alone cannot provide all the jobs.
He said the introduction of the vocational course is also in line with the National education Policy 2020, which aims to promote multi-disciplinary approach in higher education.
“We felt that all the schools and colleges including Bible colleges should impart this culture of agriculture, ecological, biodiversity, clean election and many other issues in their syllabus for teaching,” Sema said.
He appealed to the theologians and church leaders to integrate the holistic approach of ‘Work and eat’ culture both within the church and in theological education.
He hinted that the church and theological institutions have perhaps failed to emphasise on the sustainability and socio-economic aspect.
Sema also shared that the agriculture and allied departments’ farms are almost non-functional and therefore the state government is planning to lease out department farms to the FPOs, FPCs and entrepreneurs.
Encouraging churches and others to take up the farming activities in a sustainable manner, the APC assured that the state government will provide all logistic support to take up farming as business enterprises.
He asserted that though the state has achieved 150 years of Christianity, but the churches have failed to address adequately on work culture, clean election, ‘isms’, obedience to government authorities and ecological and environmental issues.
He further appeal to agri and allied departments, SASARD, ICAR, KVK and retired officers to impart practical and vocational training to Living Bible College and any other colleges who are interested to take up such courses.
Akali Sema, professor of NU, SASRD, also said the National Educational Policy is moving towards vocational-oriented programme: ‘Multiple entry, Multiple exit.’
She also stressed on the importance of having the basic knowledge and skills (both theory and practical) related to agriculture and horticulture such as farming practices, management of pest and disease, postharvest management and marketing skills.
Earlier, dedication prayer was led by Rev. Phuhoto Chishi, pastor NCRC Sumi Thilixu.