Chizokho Vero
Longsachung (Wokha) | Oct 19
Nagaland minister for Agriculture & Printing and Stationery Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu today asserted that the north eastern region of India possesses tremendous potential for agriculture production. He, however, regretted that there were many bottlenecks in achieving the targeted growth of agriculture in the region.
“We have achieved food self-sufficiency at national level by we could not achieve it at household-level due to one reason or another. We are also aware of the fact that over-exploitation of forests has led to severe environmental degradation in North East due to which agricultural production has also been adversely affected,” said the minister while inaugurating Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) for Wokha district here this morning.
It has been found that shifting cultivation is one of the most damageous factors responsible for resource degradation in the region due to which there is a sharp decline in crop-yield, the minister said.
According to one estimate, the NE region as a whole is deficient by 32 per cent in grain production, for which the state imports around 0.43 million tonnes of food grains per year from outside.
“Nagaland state alone is deficient by 34 per cent in food grain production. The situation is worst in case of the production and requirement of meat, milk, egg and fish etc. as I am also told that Nagaland state is deficient by 20.0, 55.0, 86.0 and 75.0 per cent respectively in meat, milk, egg and inland fish production, “ the minister stated.
Azo stressed on the need to bridge the gap between demand and supply of essential commodities by adopting scientific methods of cultivation, introduction of quality seed and planting materials, improved breed of cattle/livestock together with conservation of natural resources.
He also said the Government of India has fixed the target to sanction KVK in each district of the country in 10th Five Year Plan. With today’s launching of KVK here for Wokha district, the number of KVKs have rose to 537 in the country.
The idea behind the establishment of KVK was to provide the technical know-how/ technical back up to the farming communities for increasing food production.
“Our scientists have developed various technologies for crop production including horticulture, livestock, fishery, etc. and the technologies so developed are transferred for the benefit of farming families through these KVKs,” Azo said.
The minister expressed happiness that ICAR Research Complex for NEH region through its scientific and extension approach, was trying to tackle many issues so as to make the region self- sufficiency in food production.
MLA Yankithung Yanthan also informed the gathering that the farmers of Wokha district “are very much committed, hard working and very keen to adopt the improved method of cultivation in the field of agriculture, horticulture, agro-forestry, livestock, fishery etc. and even the latest organic cultivation.”
He was hopeful that farmers would be benefited from the improved methods of cultivation and yield good returns.
Encouraged by display of enthusiasm among the people of the district, Dr. K.M. Bujabaruah, Director ICRA Research Complex for NEH region assured that it would make the KVK functional at the shortest possible time.
Through KVK, he said, ICAR would provide knowledge and technology back up to the farmers, adding that the idea behind the setting up of KVK was to extend desired technology and increase agricultural production.
Dr. YP Sharma, Joint Director, ICAR Research Complex for NEH region, EH Lotha, Wokha SDO (C), EH Lotha, Deputy Director, Directorate of Agriculture, Nagaland, Kohima and several others also addressed the function.
Morung Express News
