Kohima, Aug. 1 (EMN): Service provider ‘Green Caravan’ with the supervision of Agriculture department started formation of Farmers Interest Group (FIG) under Mission Organic Value Chain Development – North Eastern Region (MOVCD-NER) phase-III programme.
The FIGs would further federate into a Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO)/ company, informed chairman of Green Caravan, Richard Belho. Under the programme, around 10,300 farmers would be covered in the entire state and Green Caravan would be covering seven districts of Nagaland including Dimapur, Kohima, Mokokchung, Zunheboto, Mon, Longleng and Tuensang, Belho said. He also informed that the crops selected were of high quality such as ginger, potato, green chilli etc., stated an update from ‘Green Caravan.’
Altogether, more than 100 villages would be covered in all seven districts under the project, he said.
A total of 16 villages would be covered under MOVCD-NER Phase-III in Kohima district, while the first village included in the FIG formation was Jakhama village, where a total of 50 farmer beneficiaries were present.
The FIG formation programme began after a prayer by Kechaseno Kulnu, wherein the lead farmer for Jakhama village Deizenuo Viswentso asserted that the farmers should strictly practice organic farming. She also spoke on the problems faced during ginger cultivation and sought equipment to facilitate easier crop management. She also informed that the first instalment of the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) has been received.
Project associates of “Green Caravan,” Manen Ozukum and Thejaseto Terhujah highlighted the beneficiaries on the aspects of the MOVCD-NER programme and concluded after dividing them into three FIG.
A farm inspection session was conducted to assess the progress of the cultivation where the lead farmer informed about the problem due to irregular rainfall. She, however, stated that they are trying their best to find alternate ways to ensure proper and timely irrigation.
The second village visited by the team under MOVCD-NER was Kigwema village. The FIG installation programme was chaired by project associate, Manen Ozukum, while the invocation was said by the lead farmer, Seyievilhou Yhokha.
Sharing the aspects of MOVCD-NER, Belho touched on the vision to be a fully organic state.
The FIG installation programme was conducted by project associate, Thejaseto Terhuja, and concluded with a mass prayer.
The issues of some beneficiaries not receiving their DBT was shared by the lead farmer and the project associates assured to relay the message to the nodal department.
The third village covered was Mezo Basa, where the FIG installation programme was chaired by project associate, Manen Ozukum, and the invocation prayer was said by lead farmer Kezha K Koutsu. The FIG installation was conducted by Thejaseto Terhuja.
During an interaction session, the problem of some farmers not receiving their DBT was shared wherein the project associates assured to relay the message to the nodal department.
The fourth village covered was Jotsoma in which the FIG installation programme was chaired by project associate, Manen Ozukum, and invocation prayer was said by lead farmer Roko.
Sharing the aspects of MOVCD-NER Phase-III, Richard Belho informed the ongoing works undertaken by ‘Green Caravan’ and assured help in all possible ways. The FIG installation programme was conducted by Thejaseto Terhuja.
It mentioned that the Prime Minister, Narendra, initiated a scheme for development of commercial organic farming in the North East region during 2015 which later became known as “Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region” (MOVCD-NER).
