Morung Express News
Dimapur | August 8
Governor of Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh, PB Acharya, has mooted the idea of setting up a committee on PPP mode comprising of Secretary, Horticulture and members from State Horticulture Department along with farmers to find out possibilities for market linkages, value addition and processing of Nagaland-grown pineapples.
The Governor suggested the committee could be constituted within three months to give a boost to production and marketing of Nagaland pineapples, also branded as the “sweetest” pineapples in the world.
Acharya who inaugurated the two-day “Pineapple Fest 2017” here at the Agri Expo Site on Tuesday, said the ultimate goal of organizing such a fest would be meaningful only if ideas could be worked out and put into action to take Nagaland pineapples to a higher level. He also stressed on the importance of showcasing, marketing and preserving Nagaland pineapples.
Minister for Horticulture, DB & GB, Kejong Chang, who graced the event as guest of honour, lauded the farmers for showcasing their products and encouraged them to take Nagaland pineapples to the national level. Kejong said Nagaland pineapples are famed for their sweetness because they are organically grown.
The festival held on the theme “Naga Pineapple- Subsistence to Enterprise” is jointly organized by the State Horticulture Department; ICAR (NE Region), Medziphema; School of Agricultural Sciences & Rural Development, and Central Institute of Horticulture, Medziphema.
Joint Director, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Nagaland Center, Medziphema, Dr. D Rajkhowa presented a brief note on Naga pineapple. He informed that presently Nagaland produces 6 tonnes per hectare as compared to Assam which produces 15 tonne per hectare. He observed that the soil and climate conditions in Nagaland are very favourable and said that the state has tremendous potential for enhancing productivity.
Joint Director, Horticulture, Dr. Elithung Lotha delivered the key note address and Director, Horticulture, N Amos Ao proposed vote of thanks.
Later, the Governor along with his wife and other dignitaries inspected the pineapple stalls put up by 11 districts of Nagaland.