23,000 ha under natural farming in Nagaland

July 5, 2023 12 Views No Comment

PIB organises ‘Vartalap’ workshop in Kohima

Morung Express News
Kohima | July 5

With a vision towards a feasible and economically viable agriculture by 2030, a total of 23,000 hectare (ha) is covered under natural farming while 13,000 ha has been designated as ‘organic.’

Another 10,000 ha area is under conversion for certification, informed Ketsukha Kath, Joint Director, Department of Agriculture during the one-day media workshop ‘Vartalap’ on ‘9 Years Seva, Sushana & Garib Kalyan’ held here at Hotel Japfü on July 4.

Presenting an overview of the Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) being implemented by the department, he said a total of 38 Producers Organisation/Companies (FPO/FPCs) are registered, while it is targeting 16 FPC registrations during 2023-24 covering 8000 ha.

Meanwhile, Kath also shared on the Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCD-NER) focusing on development of certified organic production in a value chain mode to link growers with consumers.

This is done by supporting the development of entire value chain starting from inputs, seeds, certification, to the creation of facilities for collection, aggregation, processing, marketing and brand building initiative, he said.

Further, under the brand name “Naga Organics,” crops like ginger, turmeric, large cardamom, king chilli, glutinous rice, rajma, brown rice, mustard, perilla, millets, kiwi, pineapple, passion fruit, apple and dragon fruit are being marketed currently from Nagaland, he added.

During the last nine years from 2014-2023, a total of Rs 1674.29 crore was released benefitting 20,06,436 beneficiaries covering 14 CSS (see box).

The Joint Director also informed that proposal for 2023-24 amounting to a total of Rs 32,373.64 lakh has been made, comprising of Rs 3090 lakh for digital agriculture mission; Rs. 2140.60 lakh for agri stack; Rs. 13922.44 cr under Krishonnati Yojana (KY) and another Rs. 13220.60 cr under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY-Cafeteria).

Tentative short term (3-5 years) action plan of the department, he informed, are expansion of production area of about 20,000 ha for oilseeds, 15,000 ha for pulses and 10,000 ha for millets from the existing area, to organize exhibition-cum-sales in all the districts during National Importance Days and during State Hornbill Festival and also empowerment of farm women through bee-keeping etc.

Meanwhile, Er Samuel Terieng, Senior Programme Officer of the IT & Communication Department presented an overview of it activities.

Regional Director, PIB Imphal Region, Dr Engam Pame said the purpose of ‘Vartalap’ is to facilitate and create a direct contact for journalists and the stakeholders to create awareness on the various governmental schemes, policies and initiatives. The workshop was organised by the Press Information Bureau (PIB) Kohima under the Union Information & Broadcasting.