Workshop on quality planting materials held in Wokha under cluster development programme with CSIR and ICAR support.
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WOKHA — A one-day workshop-cum-distribution programme on quality planting materials was held at the deputy commissioner’s conference hall, Wokha, on Tuesday under the cluster development programme for medicinal, aromatic, floriculture and apiculture sectors.
The initiative was organised under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the district administration, Wokha, and CSIR-North East Institute of Science and Technology (NEIST), Jorhat, in collaboration with ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Wokha.
Delivering the special address, Vineet Kumar, Deputy Commissioner of Wokha, said the vision is to gradually transform Wokha into a model district under the cluster development programme.
The DC informed that chamomile has been identified as a suitable floriculture crop for the district due to its short cultivation cycle of three months and revenue potential.
Kumar added that the programme encompasses technical training on scientific cultivation, harvesting, post-harvest management and essential oil extraction, while also exploring value addition through centralised processing facilities.
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On apiculture, he highlighted that beekeeping has been integrated with floriculture, with plans to distribute 100 bee boxes in phases and train groups from Bhandari and Wokha villages in both beekeeping and local bee box preparation.
He assured that marketing linkages would be facilitated through CSIR-NEIST, including quality testing and buyer connections.
Kumar further urged farmers to take ownership of the initiative, stressing that success would depend on their commitment and collective effort.
Chairing the programme, Anuranjan Singh underscored the importance of scientific intervention and inter-departmental collaboration in strengthening agriculture and allied activities in the district.
Dr. BL Mhalo Tungoe, SMS (Agri. Extension)/CTO, ICAR-KVK Wokha, also spoke on the importance of technical guidance and quality inputs in transforming rural agriculture.
The technical session featured presentations by Dr. VR Singh, Project Director, RCFC NER, CSIR-NEIST, Jorhat; Raghu Tamang, research scholar at CSIR-NEIST; and Satya Saikia, apiculture expert at CSIR-NEIST.
They shared insights on scientific cultivation, value addition, and best practices in medicinal and aromatic crops, floriculture, and beekeeping.
An interactive feedback session followed, involving officials from the district administration, CSIR-NEIST, and ICAR-KVK, Wokha, where participants discussed challenges and opportunities for cluster development.
The programme concluded with the distribution of quality planting materials to beneficiaries, aimed at strengthening cultivation practices and boosting the agri-based economy of Wokha district.