Horti. advisor encourages use of tech. for surplus production

[caption id="attachment_188694" align="alignnone" width="550"] Mhathung Yanthan distributing seedlings to vegetable growers at the State Horticulture Nursery at 4th Mile in Dimapur.[/caption] Eastern Mirror Desk Dimapur, June 11: The advisor for Horticluture, Mhathung Yanthang has urged the farmers learn scientific farming in order to meet the demands of ever increasing population in the state. Addressing the vegetable growers during the distribution of hi-tech vegetable seedlings programme as a chief guest, Yanthan stressed on the importance of high technology applications in today’s world. He programme was organised by the department of Horticulture, at the State Horticulture Nursery, 4th Mile in Dimapur on June 11. The advisor said with the changing world, new advanced methods and technologies have come up. He opined that farming can be easy with the application the new equipments. Stating that traditional method of farming can sustain one, however, he said one has to keep pace with the new technologies by upgrading one’s skill for better use of land for maximum benefits. He emphasised on the need to explore new ways for surplus production. Yathan called upon the vegetable growers to change their mindset saying that farming is a profitable business, and it should be taken more than just a way of life. The advisor said the department assist and demonstrate the hi-tech to the farmers. He also suggested that such hi-tech can be taken up by entrepreneurs instead depending on the department and farmers. He impressed upon the participants that God has blessed the state with enough land and suitable weather condition but people are not able to use it productively due to laziness. He said that unlike other states where farming is a proud profession, farmers in the state are ashamed to be called farmers. Encouraging the farmers to consider the Horticulture department as their own, Yanthan said ‘the department belongs to those who are willing and hardworking. Fuether, he urged farmers to take up training to update them with new technologies. Secretary to the department, Alan Gonmei, shared the aim of the hi-tech seedling is to assist farmers and encouraged them to take up organic farming. He advised the farmers to plant seedlings as much as possible so that the government can achieve its target which is meant for farmers. The director of Horticulture, Dr. R Elithung Lotha informed said that the department is distributing the first produce of the unit. He said that vegetable being most important in daily life the department has come up with the unit for better vegetable farming which will benefit both the growers and the consumers. Lotha further informed the farmers that the department would engage some educated unemployed youth to run the nursery after which the farmers have to buy the seedlings in a nominal rate.