Nagaland: Self-sufficiency obstructed by limited number of producers

Dimapur: During a programme at Nagaland State Agricultural Marketing Board on Tuesday, December 8, G Kaito Aye, the Minister for Agriculture and Co-operation said that the number of producers in Nagaland should be increased to accommodate the buyers from outside the state in order to reach out to the national and international markets.

He stated that even though there are markets in the district, there are 'limited producers'.

Aye had urged the state marketing board to be more active, responsible and to take care of the assets, and also to encourage the farmers for double cropping.

The Minister appealed for extra responsibility and to spread awareness to the farmers to promote their output for self-sufficiency. He also advised the department to increase the capacity of production and to come forward with concepts and suggestions to make the production sector better.

Aye further added that the farmer's hostel would be completed within one year with the vision of strengthening the farmer community.

Speaking at the occasion as a special guest, Agriculture Production Commissioner (APC), Nagaland Y Kikheto Sema said that it was a privilege to witness something new in the state and appreciated the Agriculture minister for the initiative, which was taken by the Government of India under the Rashtra Krishi Vikas Yojna (RKVY) scheme during 2019-20.

Sema also stressed that it was time for the Agri and allied departments to come together to focus on one mission, that is the sustainability of the people.

He added that as there is "no scope for large and medium scale industry in the state, the only way out is Agri-allied department and therefore it is necessary to create awareness in the minds of the people to opt for integrated Agri-allied settled farming."

For the last one year, the government has been providing grant-in-aid of INR 1 crore to the board and with the launch of the market, Sema opined that with this kind of infrastructure, the board would be self-sufficient.

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