I&C guides farmers, entrepreneurs to increase export produce

Our Correspondent
Kohima, June 27 (EMN): A training programme is being conducted by the department of Industries & Commerce recently aiming to ‘familiarise and impart knowledge’ and methods in the domain of export products and to guide progressive farmers and prospective entrepreneurs in increasing the level of export.
To strengthen market mechanisms in taking Nagaland-made products overseas, a two-day export-oriented training programme with various departments is being held from June 27 in Kohima. The training was organised by the department of Industries & Commerce in partnership with the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (Apeda).

The training focused on imparting knowledge and methods involved in the domain of export products. It envisages guiding progressive farmers and prospective entrepreneurs to increase the level of export.

In 2016-17, about 72% of the state’s population is engaged in agriculture sector. The state also contributes to the economic output of 28.42% in the same year. Meanwhile the exports from the state stood at INR 27, 05, 48,600 (US$ 3.92 million) during 2017-1 8 and INR 162191125.00 (US$ 2.35 million) in April-Dec 2018.

As of 2018, Nagaland has 46 species of bamboo, and it has the growing stock covering nearly five per cent of the total stock in the country, stated in a document made available to the media persons.

In 2017-18, the production of raw silk in the state of Nagaland stood at around 615 MT. Moreover, the production of honey during 2017-18 (October) was recorded to be 590 metric tonnes, it added.

Four fruits—orange, banana, pineapple, and passion is said to contributes 70% of the total fruit production in the state covering about 58 % of the area under fruit crops. Meanwhile, the maximum area is covered by citrus.

In the category of vegetable crops, the maximum area is being covered by cabbage followed by tomato. Among the spices, chilli occupies the maximum area followed by ginger and cardamom.

Nagaland is found to be suitable climate for agricultural and horticultural produce. It supports multiple crops viz., rice, maize, millet, gram, mustard, bean, sugarcane, rubber, tea, banana, pineapple, orange, jackfruit, pear, plum, passion fruit, litchi, mango, lemon, sweet lime, potato, sweet potato, tapioca, tomato, pea, chilly, ginger, garlic, cardamom, etc.

Director of Industries & Commerce K Hokishe Assumi in his keynote address urged the people to think about marketing their products. Nagas cultivate for its own consumption and not of exporting. It is the duty of the department to encourage growers to go for marketing prospects, he added.

He was of the view that Nagas do not have patience and sincerity as ‘we want things done immediately.’ On the central government plan to double the income of the farmers, he said it is the duty of the department and allied departments to take the opportunity and help farmers.