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State Horticulture development board vice chairman, F. Lalnunmawia (standing right), with officials of FAO in Bangkok. (Photo Courtesy-Mizoram government official sources)
Newmai News Network
Aizawl | January 12
The Mizoram government has sought assistance from the United Nations to improve horticulture in Mizoram, official sources said on Sunday.
The sources said that the State Horticulture development board vice chairman, F. Lalnunmawia accompanied by Mizoram Youth Commission chairman, Dr. Vanlaltanpuia and state Planning secretary, Dr. C. Lalsangzuala visited the regional office of Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger and improve nutrition and food security, in Bangkok last week and met FAO regional coordinator for Asia and Pacific Xiangjun Yao and other officials.
In his meeting with the FAO officials, Lalnunmawia, who is also the sitting legislator of the ruling Mizo National Front (MNF), requested the UN agency for logistic and technical supports to accelerate fruits and vegetables production in Mizoram, the sources said. He also requested the UN agency for better cooperation from the agency to ensure that meaningful measures are taken towards establishment of fruits and vegetables processing units and markets in Mizoram.
The Lalnunmawia also informed the UN officials about the Mizoram flagship programme- Socio-Economic Development Policy (SEDP) and the government’s effort to bring its successful implementation.
Assuring of all possible helps, the UN officials suggested Lalnunmawia to submit a concept paper through the Union Ministry of Agriculture and FAO office in India, the sources said. They also agreed to hold talks with the Mizoram government for better cooperation at the earliest convenient, the official sources added.
The SEDP is the flagship programme of the Mizoram government headed by Zoramthanga. The policy aims at providing sustainable livelihood to all households and all-round development in the state through protection and conservation of the land, exploration as well as proper and judicious use of the resources, transparent administration and self-sufficiency in food. It was launched by Zoramthanga in March 2017, one year before the MNF came to power in November 2018.
