APC calls for ‘need base’ meeting to address calamity

Dimapur, April 28 (EMN): With reports of a drought-like situation being experienced from different quarters in Nagaland, the Agriculture Production Commissioner (APC), Kikheto Sema, has called for a ‘need base’ meeting of all Agri and Allied departments to address the issue.

Sema has called for a “need base” meeting of all Agri and Allied departments of Nagaland to discuss the various difficulties and challenges being faced by the state during a meeting held on Wednesday at the Nagaland Civil Secretariat conference hall, Kohima,a DIPR report stated. 

The APC acknowledged that Nagaland is facing a drought like situation with reports coming in from across the state saying seeds have not germinated due to shortage of water and shortfall of rain adding that few seeds that have germinated have failed to survive. Stating that unprecedented hail storms and attack of crops by fall armyworm across the state have affected the crop production, he said livestock farming has also been hit by the African swine flu and foot and mouth disease.

Advocating an adage which called for extraordinary measures during extraordinary times, the APC called on the Agri and Allied departments to take the situation into stock and take up the challenges faced by the people of the state.

Stating that 70% population of the state live in rural areas and are engaged in agriculture, he stated that it was time for qualified officers of the Agri and Allied departments to put their heads together and give solutions to the farmers.

“Agriculture cannot be stopped, even if there is a pandemic and we need to be prepared for any eventualities that may arise,” he stated. He also called for adopting the four “Cs”– cooperation, coordination, confidence and contribution amongst the department to fight the issue that lies ahead. He also appealed to the citizens of the state to maintain a kitchen garden in their own backyards.

Sema also instructed the Agriculture and Horticulture departments to assess the damage of seeds and to replace them on an urgent need basis so that the farmers could use the season to replant and grow the crops. He has suggested purchasing of seeds from other allotted funds on urgency.

He also called upon the Veterinary department to sensitise the people on alternate livestock farming such as goat farming and poultry. Fishery is also another alternative towards sustaining food production in the state, he stated and called on the Fisheries department to encourage people to practice rearing fishes. Besides, he urged the Sericulture department to create awareness on the importance of silk worm.

The APC, who is also the nodal officer of Jal Shakti Abhiyan, stressed on water conservation and rainwater harvesting. He stated that Land Resource department, Water Resources department, PHED should work towards water conservation and water resource management.

He has urged to focus on saving and conserving rainwater on the theme “Catch the rain, where it falls, when it falls” covering both urban and rural areas in the state. He also called for creating awareness and importance of rainwater harvesting to village councils, churches, NGOs and other organisations.

Kikheto also stressed on the need to plant trees across the state. He was of the view that Nagaland could increase ecological surface and contribute towards creating a healthy ecological environment for the benefit of all. In this regard, he called upon all the departments to plant trees in spaces available within their complex. He further called upon the schools, NGOs, and churches to plant more trees for the benefit of all.

The meeting was attended by AHODs and HODs of Agri and Allied departments.