Agriculture department asked to be prepared for any eventuality

Our Correspondent
Kohima, May 13 (EMN): Expounding on the indispensable role of agriculture in the present time of crisis, minister of Agriculture and Co-operation, G Kaito Aye called upon the department officials to be prepared to face any challenges or eventualities in addressing the needs of the farmers in the state.

Aye stated this at the launching of face mask, hand soaps and pamphlets on agriculture advisory for small and marginal farmers and farm women of Nagaland during Covid-19 pandemic lockdown at his official residence on May 13. Covid-19 pandemic being a global crisis, Aye stated that government of the day in the state is trying its best to mitigate problems confronting the people despite limited resources.

Underlining the crucial role of Agriculture department at this time of crisis with more than 70 percent of the population being agrarian, Aye stressed on the need to address the problems being faced by the farmers.

He called upon the agri and allied departments to focus on the farmers and respond to the challenges arising out of the pandemic while at the same time take utmost safety measures. He told the officials and staff present at the function to prepare themselves to face the challenges and collectively contain the pandemic.

On the occasion, Aye launched a total of 40000 hand soaps, 40000 masks, 40000 pamphlets to be distributed to 1273 villages in 74 blocks of Nagaland meant for the small and marginal farmers and farm women.

Earlier delivering the introductory note, director of Agriculture, M Ben Yanthan, highlighted on the initiatives undertaken by the department of Agriculture during the lockdown. He informed that the department had distributed cotton face mask, hand washing soaps and pamphlets to small and marginal farmers including farm women through ATMA-Nagaland and further expressed hope that such activities would benefit the farmers in the state.