Make floriculture year-long business — Official

Our Correspondent
Kohima, Nov. 10 (EMN): The Commissioner and Secretary of Horticulture and Women Development, Nagaland, Anenla Sato, on Thursday, encouraged floriculturists in the state to venture beyond seasonal demand by making floriculture a year-long business, and upscaling  the production in order to meet the demands within the state.

She lamented that the state spends over crores of rupees for importing flowers, and therefore urged the flower growers at Sechü Zubza to make their place a floriculture hub and improve the economy of the state.

Further, she challenged the people to work harder in order to make the stretch from Piphema to Zubza a flower cluster by roping in government agencies for technical support.

She was addressing the inaugural programme of the second edition of Sechü Zubza Flower Festival, at Kheruthi ‘A’ Colony, organised by Sechü Zubza Youth Organisation (SZYO) in collaboration with department of Horticulture, Nagaland.

Sato said flowers are a symbol of beauty and serenity, and expressed happiness on the variety of flower products available at the festival.

She pointed out that the Zubza area is second to none in terms of production and encouraged the floriculturists to grow more flowers, adding that hard work will be rewarded.

Meanwhile, Zuchumi Ovung, Assistant Soil Conservation Officer , in her short speech, highlighted the benefits of horticulture and its potential in the state. She also encouraged the people to venture more in this sector as it has huge scope in terms of income generation, soil suitability and geography.

 Earlier, greetings was delivered by Chairman of Sechü Zubza Village Council, Khriengulie Kuotsu. He appreciated the initiative of SZYO for organising the fest and also expressed delight on the works of the flower growers.

Chairman of the programme, Kevirehbi Mor, Vice-president, SZYO informed that a turnover of INR 1 lakh revenue per day in the 45-day long Flower Festival was made in the first edition of the flower festival last year.

Associate pastor of Sechü Zubza Baptist Church, Neiketoulie Medoze offered a prayer for the festival while general secretary of SZYO, Rokovisa Kielienyii tendered the vote of thanks.

A total of 28 stalls are being set for the fest that will continue till December 20.