CM advocates people’s movement for food sufficiency

KOHIMA, AUGUST 11: Celebrating the ‘best practices and success stories’ under Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP) in the State, the first ever State level watershed conference, coinciding with the culmination of IWMP Batch-I organised by the Department of Land Resources, was held today at NBCC Convention Hall, Kohima, with the chief minister, TR Zeliang, as the chief guest.
During the programme, awards comprising of citation and cash were given away to the best performing villages, best farmers and best SHG besides releasing a book on ‘Best practices and success stories of IWMP’ and handing over of Watershed Development Fund to all the 247 villages.
Stressing on the importance of proper utilization of the land and its resources, Zeliang said watershed development programme has a critical role to play in ensuring conservation and utilisation of natural endowments such as water, land, plant, animals and human resources in a harmonious and integrated manner for increasing agricultural productivity and enhancing people’s livelihood.
Citing self-sufficiency as one important aspects of the Vision 2030 of the State, Zeliang asserted that Nagas economy would never improve as long as it continues to depend on others for foods, commodities and labour works, while huge amount of money have been continuously flowing outside.With special focus on skill development and upgradation, he said the government has declared 2016 as the years of construction workers to train the youth on construction works. Because of our inability to work, Zeliang said every year 2000-3000 crores are spent on construction cost across the State to outsiders.
Noting the potential of the Nagas with its blessed land and resources, Zeliang pressed on the need for a people’s movement for a ‘Crop revolution’ through the support and contribution of all the farmers across the State to attain self sufficiency. ‘If people from the other states can perform, why not the Nagas,’ Zeliang querried.
In this regard, he has requested the department to identify the crops which are best suitable to each particular area and to invest/ develop on the same. He also urged on the need to exchange ideas and knowledge between the expert team and the farmers to get the best results. The farmers were also advised on the need to work with the latest available knowledge and technologies to get the best harvest and income, while adding ‘our economy is our strength’.
He also noted with regret the wrong mindset ingrained among the Nagas of setting up new villages in any available land and space just to avail some schemes from various departments. While stating on the need to do away with this negative mindset, Zeliang pointed that ‘our economy will never grow’ as long as we keep setting up new villages as money will be only wasted on infrastructure developments.
Also addressing the gathering, Pankaj Kumar, the State Chief Secretary, pointed out that IWMP, an integral component of the new Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) 2016-16, has the potential to increase the ability of the community to conserve natural resources, raise farmers’ income and build our resilience to the changing weather pattern.
He also appreciated the initiative of LRD for bringing all the farmers from across the State to learn by experience and create more opportunities for increasing the effectiveness of interventions.
Parliamentary Secretary of LRD and Excise, BS Nganlang, also noted that watershed management is not only a hydrological unit but also socio-political entity which plays a crucial role in determining food, social and economical security that provides life support services to the rural people.
In his keynote address, Secretary of LRD, Y Kikheto Sema, said IWMP encompasses a whole lot of activities that include combined use of land, water and its resources for livelihood activities as well as an intervention to restore ecological balance by developing barren land into useful land.
Sema also pointed out that during 2015-16, out of annual projection of Rs 180 crores under IWMP, the centre has released only Rs 27 crores, which was hardly 15% of the total outlay, while for the current year 2016-17, the centre has allocated only Rs 28.20 crores out of the annual approved plan of Rs 264 crores.
Therefore, while stating that IWMP is a demand driven programme and also as one of the best performing states for IWMP, he has requested the Government of India to grant fund as per the annual approved plan so as to achieve the objectives for the reaming five different batches and for taking up new projects.
Giving an overview of the watershed activities across the state, Mhathung Yanthan, Director Land Resources, maintained that in Nagaland where traditional jhum system of farming is extensively practices, the people are faced with the challenge of food security, livelihoods, natural resource and environmental degradation.
He, therefore, strongly asserted that IWMP offers one of the best strategies to address these challenges to improve, mitigate and find alternative solution to the jhumming system through holistic approach.
He also pointed out that the outcome of IWMP has enabled farmers to go for multi-cropping, crop diversification and introduction of diverse agro-based activities that provide sustainable livelihoods to rural communities including both landholders and the assetless, who reside in the watershed area. He also made a power point presentation on the activities undertaken under IWMP across the State and testimonies of successful farmers.
Award for the ‘Best Performing Villages’ were given to Pishikhu in Dimapur; Isikiur in Kiphire; Thekrejuma in Kohima; Orangkong in Longleng; Salulemang in Mokokchung; Tuimei in Mon; Dungki Lamhai in Peren; Tsupfume in Phek; Longkitpeh and Pathso Nokeng in Tuensang; Chudi in Wokha; and Tichipami in Zunheboto.
Neituo Kense from Tuophema village; B Angshai Phom from Yongam village; Hatwang Konyak from Phuktong and Irisibe from Old Jalukie were awarded the ‘Best Farmers,’ while Best SHG award were given away to Kekhrie SHG from Sechiima under Kohima district and Zangna SHG from Mhainamtsi village under Peren district.