Nagaland has potential to revolutionise horticulture: Tomar

June 27, 2022 42 Views No Comment

Union Agriculture Minster and Farmer’s Welfare inaugurates farmers-exhibition

Morung Express News
Chümoukedima | June 27

The North-East region and Nagaland in particular has the capacity to bring about a new revolution in the horticultural sector, maintained the Union Agriculture Minster and Farmer’s Welfare Narendra Singh Tomar today.

The region being blessed with 6 agro-climatic zones with vast geographical variations in-between, provides great scope and advantages for growing many horticultural crops as compared to other states, he noted during his maiden two-day visit to Nagaland and the Central Institute of Horticulture (CIH), Medziphema on June 26.

Tomar further opined that Nagaland also has great potential for exporting agricultural products outside the country due to its close proximity to South-East Asian countries.

Noting that the products should be of global quality standards, he called for diligently focusing on increasing productivity, which could further boost the overall Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country in the long run.

Meanwhile, Tomar mentioned that the Central and State government are undertaking significant steps towards improving agricultural output bearing in mind the significance of the agriculture sector in the region.

The steps include use of modern technological tools, methods and scientific research, all for the overall benefit of the farmers, he said.

The Minister also highlighted on how the incomes of farmers ‘can and should be’ increased through the adoption of high value crops, connecting and bringing new technology and said that this can be achievable through research institutions such as CIH.

Besides research studies, he also reminded that governmental funds and schemes should arrive on time for farmers, and highlighted how the Narendra Modi-led government is undertaking “all possible measures” to enable such a scenario.

Moreover, he acknowledged CIH, a centrally-funded institute, for doing a commendable job for the benefit of students, farmers and the overall state, directly or indirectly.

Also speaking on the occasion, Advisor, Horticulture & Border Affairs, Mhathung Yanthan alluded to the fact that several central schemes have significantly improved the lives of the farming community.

Over the years, agricultural products such as pineapple, oranges, cucumbers, passion fruits, cardamom, ginger etc have become stable products of export from the State to different parts of the country, he said.

He also recalled the ‘achievements’ made in registering three Geographical Indication (GI) tags for the Naga Cucumber, Naga King Chilli and Naga Tree Tomato from Nagaland.

Urging the Centre to promote particular crops, produced from the region, Yanthan said that such initiative would fulfil the Prime Minister of India’s vision of bringing a ‘second green revolution’ from the NE region.

The Advisor also explained how it was necessary to continue supporting institutions such as CIH as it plays a significant role at the grassroots level through offering training to farmers, establishing nurseries etc.

Requesting for the review of the proposed plan to merge CIH with the National Horticulture Board, he stated that such a move would impact the current functioning of the institution.

Nevertheless, Yanthan made the suggestion for the up-gradation of CIH as a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), which he argued, would make a crucial impact for the development of the NE region.

A total of 14 exhibitors were present at the exhibition organised as part of the programme where different horticulture products were displayed and a platform was provided for the entrepreneurs to showcase their products.

The Union Minister along with the dignitaries also visited the pineapple farm of the Molsang Organic Pineapple Farmers Producer Company at Molvom village and interacted with the farmers.

Tomar tours ICAR
Later, the Union Minister visited the National Research Centre on Mithun (ICAR) Nagaland where he noted that Mithun, scientifically known as Bos frontalis, is a unique bio resource of the NE and it is everyone’s responsibility to conserve it.

As per an lCAR release, he also urged the farmers to adopt an alternative package of practices for Mithun rearing under the semi-intensive system developed by ICAR-NRC.

While appreciating the ICAR’s effort in ‘transforming’ Mithun farming by creating interest in farmers and raising their incomes, he stressed on the need of to carry out further research for the benefit of farmers.

He also suggested that the institute take up research to explore the development of business model for nutritional and therapeutic properties of milk, and fertilising capacity of Mithun’s dung and urine.

Source: https://morungexpress.com/nagaland-has-potential-to-revolutionise-horticulture-tomar