Agriculture Officers’ Co-ordination meeting was held at Capital Convention Centre, New Secretariat, Kohima on 2nd September 2022 with Minister for Agriculture and Co-operation, G. Kaito Aye as the special guest of honour.

Minister Kaito in his speech, called upon the officers, staff and field workers of the department to address to the needs of the farmers in the State. He also called upon the officers to go to the fields, interact with the settled farmers about their difficulties, motivate and educate them about the new technology of farming, and encourage the farming community to adopt the cluster system of farming and emphasize about integrated settled farming, so as to promote farmers of the State to have a sustainable life. He also instructed the officers to see that the schemes/facilities for the beneficiaries reach them on time and to identify the bogus beneficiaries of PMKSY schemes meant for the farmers and to spread awareness to the farmers to avail the KCC loans which is an interest free loan. He added that the farmers should be encouraged to grow commercial crops which can be produced in the State.

Agriculture Production Commissioner, Y. Kikheto Sema, IAS who also spoke as the special guest, said that Agriculture Department has a huge responsibility to guide the other allied departments since 70% of the state population are engaged in agriculture. He also pointed out that our traditional system of farming based on jhum and shifting cultivation should be pondered upon, since this farming system is not economically viable and ecologically sustainable. He called on the Agri & Allied departments to come together in a cluster for food sustainability which should turn to a business enterprise, and also added that the Department should address the farmers to grow crops as per the demands of the market so that there is sustainability in the farming community. He also called upon all the officers and staff of the department to be present in their respective stations.

The programme was chaired by Director Agriculture, M. Ben Yanthan, keynote address was delivered by Additional Director, Agriculture, C. Peter Yanthan and vote of thanks was delivered by Additional Director, Agriculture, B. N. Phom.

(Maongtemjen, IA)