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N Bongkhao Konyak inaugurating the state-level advocacy and workshop for launch of Van Dhan Vikas Karyakram at The Deck, Hotel Vivor, Kohima on Friday, September 27. (EMImages)[/caption]
Our Correspondent
Kohima, Sep. 27 (EMN): A state-level advocacy and workshop for launch of Van Dhan Vikas Karyakram, a Central government’s initiative to improve tribal population’s income by harnessing forest produce, was held at The Deck, Hotel Vivor in Kohima on September 27.
The programme was organised by Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (Trifed), Ministry of Tribal Affairs Government of India, and Government of Nagaland’s Department of Underdeveloped Areas (Duda). It was inaugurated by advisor for Duda, N Bongkhao Konyak.
Addressing the gathering, Konyak said the department has been tirelessly working to bridge the gap in providing economic and livelihood opportunities and to bring the backward region at par with the rest of the state since its inception in 2003 under the leadership of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio.
“The department has made enormous strides and successfully created infrastructure and provided livelihood solutions for ensuring sustainable growth in the eastern region,” said Konyak.
However, he expressed concern over the lack of air and rail connectivity with the commercial hubs, which has resulted in high cost while carrying out development projects, and requested Trifed to look into the infrastructural needs in order to boost the SHGs in upscaling production and provide livelihood opportunities to the people living in the remote areas.
The advisor also stated that eastern Nagaland area, which share boundary with Myanmar, suffers from high-risk of drug addiction and other anti-social activities, and opined that the region requires commitment and support from the government.
Managing director of Trifed Pravir Krishna spoke on the objectives of the workshop and said that Nagaland pioneered the Van Dhan Vikas Kendras to submit proposals for project implementation in the country. He assured to take the state’s organic products to the global market and e-retail giants like Amazon. He also urged the stakeholders to look into value addition, proper branding and marketing besides gathering of products.
Expressing optimism, Khrishna said, “Van Dhan can bring a lot of prosperity to already strong and hardworking people you have in every village. They are self-reliant; they are closely-knit community.”
He also explored the opportunities that Trifed delivers to commercialise the local raw products and said that the system needs transparency.
Advisor, I&PR, Scert and village guards, Toshi Wungtung also addressed the gathering and asserted that Nagaland being a tribal state is hugely dependent on biodiversity. He added that jhum cultivation is scientific in its own way for natural ecology and that it has a huge role in economic development as it serves as the source of natural products.
Asserting the role of environment for economic development, he said that development must be dealt with multi-lateral approach and emphasise on the defined micro-financed-framed policy.
An official of Van Dhan Vikas Karyakram (VDVK) urged the people to ensure good manufacturing practices and asked all the member of Self Help Groups (SHGs) to have bank accounts. He also urged the producers to take the help of National Certification Board (NCB) to take local products to global market.
