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Our Correspondent
Kohima, July 5 (EMN): Nagaland minister for Planning and Coordination, Land Revenue and Parliamentary Affairs Neiba Kronu on Monday urged citizens of Pfutsero to work towards the town being a “land of fruits and plentiful”.
The Pfutsero assembly constituency, he said, should be an example for other districts to take up mass fruit tree plantation for overall economic uplift.
The minister was speaking during the launching and distribution of fruit tree saplings under 'trees for wealth', held in Pfutsero on Monday.
Kronu distributed 22,000 fruit tree saplings worth INR 10 lakh to 12 villages under Pfutsero Assembly Constituency. The fruit tree saplings were avocado, persimmon, chestnut, tamarillo, yongchak, local herbal tree (lengotshe) etc.
The project was initiated through the Local Area Development Programme (LADP) with a view to fight the challenges of climate change as well as to help uplift the economy of the state, he said.
According to Kronu, the Himalayan range, including Nagaland, is rich in biodiversity and has the potential of growing different species, he said.
He also laid emphasis on the importance of protecting the planet and environment as well as sustenance of livelihood.
The minister expressed satisfaction at Entrepreneurs Associate (EA) for coming forward to take care of market avenues for the produce of farmers.
The minister suggested that fruits of low volume with high value yield and not easily perishable items should be the prime target. He went on to cite that crops such as ginger (local) and tree tomato will have a better market value.
Chief Executive Officer of Entrepreneurs Associate, Neichute Doulo, said the project 'trees for wealth', was launched in 2019 by Kronu. ‘The project is historic not only for Pfutsero but also should be followed by other legislators which will be a huge benefit for the entire state,’ he said.
The CEO assured that EA would buy back all the produce of the farmers, who have received the 22,000 saplings today. He further encouraged farmers to form clusters and groups to find markets for their produce and not to be always dependent on the government.