Nagas should talk more about economy than politics, says Nagaland Chief Minister

Community Marketing Complex and Naturally Nagaland exhibition inaugurated

Our Reporter
Dimapur, May 2 (EMN): Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Monday said that Nagas talk too much about politics and asked the people to leave “Naga political issues and political talks to the politicians” and ‘discuss more about our economy — individual, family, village, district or state economy, and our potentials’.

He was addressing the gathering during the celebration of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav to commemorate 75 years of independence on the theme “Monetising Agri-Horti and Organic Potentials of North East through Value Chain Development” at the Northeast Agri-Expo in Chumoukedima.

Rio said that the state government had set aside some funds in the previous year for start-ups but only about 30% of the funds was utilised, adding that “there was no innovation in the state and so the money was diverted to another subject”.

He encouraged the youths not to wait for things to happen, but pursue it, while assuring government’s help.

Meanwhile, the chief minister said that Nagas are becoming wiser. He lauded the improvement in work culture, growing sense of competition and discussion on economy among the people.

Speaking about agriculture produce in the state, Rio said that ‘Nagas have enough for ourselves but we do not have enough quantity for commercial purposes, and that is where we are facing problems’.

So, he urged the educated unemployed youths to grasp the opportunity and become progressive farmers and increase production so that buyers from outside the state can come and procure their produce.

‘We must make our state self-sufficient and our produce should be excess so that we can export to other states,’ he said.

He added that some of the products from Nagaland are doing well in cosmopolitan cities but ‘we cannot open a shop unless we produce in huge quantity; and even the supply has to be regular or else no business will come and visit us’.

He went on to say that entrepreneurs to be trained in marketing.

The chief minister also inaugurated the Community Marketing Complex (CMC) at Chumoukedima and dedicated it to the farmers and the entrepreneurs of Nagaland. He expressed optimism that the facility will provide a platform to young entrepreneurs for selling and promoting organic produce of the state.

‘My perception of Northeast has changed’

Meanwhile, Minister of State for DoNER and Cooperation, Government of India, BL Verma inaugurated Naturally Nagaland exhibition at NE Agri Expo 4th Mile in Chumoukedima during the occasion.

He updated that 10 percent of the country’s budget was allocated to the north-eastern states which has a population of 3.5 crore. He also observed that the Northeast has a massive potential, especially in the agri-allied sectors.

He said that although many people have negative thoughts about the Northeast, his perception of the region has changed after visiting the north-eastern states including Nagaland. 

“People with health issues should come to Nagaland as it provides healthy and peaceful environment, good and fresh air, organic fruits, vegetables and tea,” he maintained.

Verma also emphasised on the need for cold storage facilities and warehouses, while assuring to apprise Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the grievances shared by the Agriculture Minister of the state, G Kaito Aye.

In his inaugural address, Aye said that more than 70% of Nagaland’s population is still engaged in agri allied sector, producing 62,000 metric tonnes of grain in the year 1963-64, which increased to 7,55,590 metric tonnes in year 2020-21.

This was possible through different central schemes and central-sponsored aids, he said while apprising the DoNER minister for the need of timely release of grand-in-aid to Nagaland, which is a non resource state.

Agri Production Commissioner Y Kikheto Sema; IFoS, Joint Secretary, Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, GoI, Priya Ranjan; and Secretary of Horticulture, Nagaland, Anenla T Sato also spoke at the event.

The programme was attended by farmers and entrepreneurs besides dignitaries like Deputy Commissioner of Chumoukedima Abhinav Kumar Sharma, Commissioner Police of Dimapur Rothihu Tetseo, bureaucrats, HODs, and officials from different departments.