Agriculture Production Commissioner, Nagaland, Y.Kikheto Sema IAS, re-iterated that Agri and Allied departments would seriously ponder to create more water bodies such as check-dams, water harvesting, ground water etc. as the farming community of the state which comprises of 70% of the total population has been badly affected due to drought like situation with no rain from December 2020 to April 2021. He said this to the farmers during his tour to different villages including Molvom, Molsan, Tsithrongse and Bade villages under Dimapur district, on 22nd June 2021.
At Molvom and Molsan areas, Sema met the Pineapple Farmer Producing Company (FPC) and visited the pineapple field where he expressed happiness to see the healthy pineapples as it does not require much rain. Pointing out that presently, pineapples are grown in about 1000 hectares of land within that area.He encouraged the pineapple growers association to grow more and further suggested Horticulture department to have exhibition of Nagaland pineapples at Delhi during July or August this year. We need to showcase to the outsiders that our pineapples are one of the sweetest in the world, Sema maintained and assured that the State Government would provide logistic support and cooperation to the pineapple growers and urged them to reach out to other places including European and Asian countries.
At Tsithrongse and Bade villages, Sema visited the vegetable farms and regretted that the areas were badly affected due to less rainfall. He informed that the Chief Minister has directed the Agri and Allied departments for creating of more water bodies for agricultural activities instead of depending on rain alone.
Sema also stated that the departments would provide required rabi seeds in advance to the affected farmers to recover the losses during coming September and October. Admitting that the last two years have been very challenging for agricultural activities due to the pandemic, Sema nevertheless encouraged the farmers not to give up and advised them to walk the extra mile once the pandemic is over.
Observing that continuity of the drought like situation may lead to food crisis, Kikheto appealed to all the Christians of the state as believers to pray to God for rescuing us during such extra ordinary times.
APC Nagaland was accompanied by Director Horticulture, Dr. R. Elithung Lotha, Director Agriculture, Ben Yangthan, DAO and DHO Dimapur.
(DPRO Dimapur)
