: Niuland hosts 3rd Mega Oil Palm Plantation Drive distributing 2,500 saplings to local farmers.
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DIMAPUR — The Office of the District Agriculture Officer (DAO), Niuland, under the Department of Agriculture, organised the 3rd Mega Oil Palm Plantation Drive on Wednesday, which was officially flagged off by the Extra Assistant Commissioner (EAC) of Aghunaqa, M Khenpa Konyak.
According to an update from the department, during the programme, the DAO Niuland and chairperson, Thepusa Nakro, stated that this drive marks the beginning of a series of plantation initiatives planned to be implemented in a phased manner.
He expressed gratitude to Godrej Agrovet Ltd. for their cooperation and for providing high-quality saplings—an essential and crucial input for oil palm cultivation.
Nakro also encouraged the participating farmers by highlighting the success of Vitozhe Sema, a progressive oil palm farmer whose farm at Ghotovi has been recognised as a model demonstration farm by the department. He urged the farmers to visit the farm to learn more about effective farm management practices.
Ditolyn Sumi, Agricultural Officer and Programme Officer of NMEO-Oil Palm under DAO Niuland, motivated the farmers to remain sincere and committed throughout the initial establishment years of the crop. She assured that the department will provide continuous training and support to resolve any issues that may arise.
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She also briefly emphasised the importance of maintaining recommended spacing and proper planting techniques to achieve the full potential of oil palm cultivation.
The guest of honour, M Khenpa Konyak, in his address, reassured the farmers that the government will never introduce any scheme intended to harm farmer interests.
He dismissed negative media reports surrounding oil palm cultivation and encouraged farmers to plant the saplings with confidence, noting that the planting materials were raised locally and are well acclimatised to the region’s agro-climatic conditions.
The programme concluded with a send-off ceremony of loaded vehicles carrying the saplings to various villages, where pits had already been prepared for planting
A total of 2,500 oil palm saplings were distributed among 17 farmers during the drive.