Our Correspondent
Kohima | April 26
Nagaland State’s Department of Horticulture is implementing the project, Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) for, as they claim, holistic growth of the horticulture sector encompassing fruits, vegetables, root and tuber crops, mushrooms, spices, flowers, aromatic plants, coconut, cashew, cocoa and bamboo.
MIDH is a centrally sponsored scheme. The primary objective is to improve production and productivity of horticulture crops through various interventions, according to Nagaland Economic Survey 2016-17 tabled in the recent State Assembly session here by Parliamentary Secretary For Economics & Statistics Tovihoto Ayemi.
During 2015-16, 1950 hectares of area has been brought under area expansion for various horticultural crops with an amount of Rs. 5.61 crores under MIDH.
In addition, 51 peckhouses, 10 evaporative cool chambers, primary processing units and low cost preservation units, 5 retail markets and 6 rural markets were established at a cost of Rs. 3.94 crores. Besides, to strengthen, the department has focused on Research and Development (R&D) sector, management and infrastructure.
Management of viral diseases and productivity maximization of Naga King chilli through organic cultivation is one such programme. Under RKVY 2015-16, 230 hectare was brought under crops like Kiwi, Citrus, Lemon Grass, Banana, Passion Fruit, Cardamom, Papaya and Litchi.
Construction of farmers’ hostel at Hortiscape Kisama, training hall at Dimapur and installation of 10 units of low cost mushroom units were completed during the period.
