Nagaland receives Best State in Horticulture Award 2024

July 11, 2024 20 Views No Comment

NEW DELHI, JULY 11 (MExN): The Agriculture Leadership Awards 2024 ‘Best State in Horticulture Award 2024’ was presented to the State of Nagaland for its outstanding work in introducing innovative programs and policies for horticulture development, which has positively touched the lives of large number of farmers and the rural people in the State.

Minister for Women Resource Development & Horticulture, Salhoutuonuo Kruse received the award on behalf of the State, at the Agriculture Leadership Conclave on July 10 evening, at Hotel Holiday Inn, Aerocity, New Delhi. The Award was presented by Nitin Gadkari, Minister for Road Transport & Highway and Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Minister for Agri and Farmers’ Welfare, a press release issued by Press Secretary to Minister Salhoutuonuo Kruse informed.

The award has been given to the State of Nagaland for enhancing the livelihood of the people and improved the economic conditions of the farmers, created farm diversification and employment opportunities while at the same time, ensuring nutritional security and ecological sustainability.

The Agriculture Leadership Awards was instituted in 2008 for recognizing excellence and leadership roles played by individuals and organizations towards the development of Indian agriculture and bringing about rural prosperity. These awards are given annually to encourage and recognize the efforts that have made significant contributions in agriculture, livestock, social and rural development, and positively impacted the lives of millions of farmers.

The State has achieved GI registration of three horticultural crops viz., Naga Mircha, Naga Tree Tomato and Naga Sweet Cucumber. The Department of Horticulture has mobilized the formation of 13 Farmers’ Producer Company (FPCs) and so far been able to bring an area of 6800 Ha under Organic Certification.

The Department’s initiative has been fruitful in the recognition of the FPCs with several accolades at the National level for their contribution and success towards organic production of Pineapple, Kiwi and Large Cardamom, the press release further maintained.

Considering the requirement of production of more food and to attain self sufficiency, the Department has initiated 100 vegetable villages covering 10,000 households across the State. The Department of Horticulture has initiated and launched the air cargo services in the State for entrepreneurs and traders and has been significantly promoting market linkages of horticulture produces like Naga Organic Pineapple and Organic Kiwi to other parts of the country, it added.

The State has a promising venture in cultivation of exotic crops such as Kiwi, Dragon Fruit, Avocado and Persimmon. The Department has introduced the concept of ‘Horticulture Model Village’ wherein, One Crop One Village has been adopted in 16 villages across the State for an overall perspective and to boost the horticulture developmental activities in a holistic manner. With the opportunities available in horticulture sector, the Department will continue to strive in the enhancement of horticulture production and economic upliftment of the farmers, the press release underscored.