Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Saturday flagged off the distribution of tractors and Tata mobile pickup trucks under the Chief Minister's Corpus Fund.
DIMAPUR — Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Saturday flagged off the distribution of modern agricultural equipment-- tractors and utility vehicles--under the Chief Minister's Corpus Fund (CMCF) at the Agri Expo in Chümoukedima.
A total of 35 tractors and six Tata mobile pickup trucks were distributed to beneficiaries at the programme organised by the Planning and Transformation Department, informed an update from DIPR.
Addressing the beneficiaries, Rio encouraged farmers to increase productivity and improve their livelihoods by adopting modern agricultural practices. He said that nearly 70 per cent of Nagaland's population is engaged in farming, making agriculture the backbone of the State's economy.
The CM said that this initiative under the CMCF is in addition to the machinery being provided through the Agriculture and Allied departments, and is aimed at supporting farmers with mechanisation and making agriculture more productive and sustainable.
Sharing his personal experience, he recounted the difficulties he faced in procuring a tractor during his youth when he was actively engaged in farming, and how mechanisation transformed his own farming activities. He went on to urge the beneficiaries not to sell the machinery but to make the best use of them to increase agricultural production and income.
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He also encouraged them to become progressive farmers by embracing new technologies and improving their skills.
Referring to the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, Rio asserted that the government can facilitate development through various schemes but lasting economic growth depends on the contribution of entrepreneurs, businesses and individuals.
He called upon the farmers to focus on organic farming and value addition, saying that Nagaland has immense potential in agriculture. He went on to urge to work hard towards making the State self-reliant and contribute meaningfully to the vision of a developed India.
Earlier in the programme, Y. Kikheto Sema, Principal Secretary and Development Commissioner, told the gathering that the state government initiated the distribution of tractors and power tillers under the CMCF in 2006-07 to promote agricultural mechanisation to strengthen food security, as traditional methods were no longer economically viable.
The Government has distributed 224 tractors and 262 power tillers to beneficiaries across the State since the inception of the programme, he informed, adding that 35 tractors along with other accessories were procured at a cost of INR 3.30 crore for distribution to 35 beneficiaries for the financial year 2025-26.
He went on to say that six Tata mobile pickup trucks were distributed under the CMCF for the first time.
S. Kiusumew Yimchunger, Advisor, Home Guards & Civil Defence, Fire & Emergency Services; Y. Lima Onen Chang, MLA; and A. Pongshi Phom, MLA also attended the event.