New state agriculture policy in pipeline

DIMAPUR — The Nagaland government is in the process of introducing a new common agriculture policy that would set new standards for the environment and make agriculture more sustainable.

This was disclosed by the advisor of Agriculture, Mhathung Yanthan, during the state-level review meeting of Agriculture department at Hotel Japfu in Kohima on Tuesday. He reminded the officers and staff of the department to put collaborative efforts and value ideas to face the challenges ahead.

Yanthan, who was the special guest of the review meeting, expressed concern over huge challenges faced by the farming community in the state due to climate change and urged the officers to be responsible and re-dedicated themselves in order to deliver good to the people and improve farming practices. He also encouraged them to infuse modern technology, which is applicable to change the farming and cropping system.

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Yanthan opined that ensuring food supply and food security are required in food production saying it is not sufficient to only produce food for the requirements but also need to produce surplus food to generate income. He pointed out that without income, farmers would not be able to do farming.

Besides, he urged to make agriculture attractive by focusing on farmers as a business and enterprise and helping them by creating better marketing linkages facilities and channels. He further urged to strengthen and have collaborative efforts in all the schemes that are being implemented in the state to bring change in the agriculture sector.

Agriculture Production Commissioner (APC), R Binchilo Thong, who was also the guest of honour, called upon all the SDAO and DAO to execute their duties and bring out solutions to the local problems in their respective areas. Thong also reminded to report those affected areas caused by climate change in terms of productivity to research institutes like SARS and ICAR etc.

With the onset of rabi season, he further encouraged all the field officers and staff to be available in the respective station in order to disseminate necessary information to the farmers on time.

Delivering the keynote address, the additional director of Agriculture, C Peter Yanthan, stated that the review meeting was to retrospect the works and performances in the field as well as to examine the progress and identify challenges.