NEIDA launches vegetable nursery enterprises across Nagaland

Dimapur, Oct. 16 (EMN): Northeast Initiative Development Agency (NEIDA) has launched 10 vegetable nursery enterprises across four districts of Nagaland. The main objective of the initiative was to provide access to quality vegetable saplings to more than 5000 farmers and simultaneously develop entrepreneurship skills of the nursery owners and generate income from the nursery enterprises.

An update from NEIDA stated that the high-tech naturally ventilated poly houses were constructed with support from department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology, government of India.

In Tuensang district, two poly houses at Chendang and Hakchang villages were inaugurated on September 13 by the assistant horticulture officer (AHO) of Tuensang, Yonkonglimba, in the presence of team from Eleutheros Christian Society (ECS), farmers and village leaders.

In Tseminyu district, three poly houses at K Station, New Terogvunyu and Sendenyu villages were inaugurated by on September 16 by the district horticulture officer (DHO), Neisetuonou Debbie. Speaking at the launch event, she motivated the nursery entrepreneurs for development of indigenous seed banks and distributed inputs such as neem cake, hydrogel, neem oil, bio-fungicide and bactericide and seeds to the three entrepreneurs.

In Kiphire district, two poly houses at Pungro and Penkim villages were inaugurated on September 21 by the assistant horticulture officer (AHO), Rishu Phillip, while in Phek district, three poly houses at Lasumi, Pfutseromi and Pholami were inaugurated on October 13 by Wenyi Kapfo, associate pastor of Pfutseromi Baptish Church, and village council chairman, Lhiwepelo Ritse.

It stated that the programs in all the districts were attended by members from village council, churches, self help groups, nursery entrepreneurs, NEIDA members and well-wishers.

It envisaged that 10 vegetable nursery entrepreneurs would be able to earn at least INR 3 lakh annually from the enterprise and at least 5000 farmers would have access to quality saplings.