Our Correspondent
Kohima | June 16
“Pipi Traders,” an agro machineries and implements showroom was formally inaugurated here today near Sanuoru River along New Secretariat Road. “Pipi Traders” deals Indian and imported agricultural implements and machineries.
Speaking on the occasion, Agriculture Production Commissioner and Commissioner & Secretary for Agriculture T. Imkonglemba was appreciative of setting up such showroom in Kohima, which would go a long way in scaling up the use of tools and implements for overall progress of the agricultural activities.
Imkonglemba said Nagaland sustain because of agriculture. Agriculture contributes around 30% of the GDP growth rate.
Stating that it is the farmers who survive us, he said, “It is our responsibility to work with them and bring a new technology to them where they can save labour.” He said that agriculture department is working very closely with the scientists so that “we work in such way that the farmers accept our new intervention.”
He said the Systematic Rice Intensification programme was started in 2009 by a few scientists of the north eastern region and taken by the Government of India in 2012. He maintained that such programme has really help the farmers in terms of the reduction of labour cost and also brought the production yield to almost double. He said that the Govt of India has announced to double the farmers income by 2022.
In this respect, he said, without agriculture tools and implements it will never be fulfilled. Government alone cannot play a contributory role unless progressive farmers like Pipi entrepreneurs come up.
He congratulated the proprietors of Pipi Traders and at the same requested NABARD to support the farmers by way of empowering them to get certain financial support, thereby the economy of the state is enhanced through the effort of the progressive farmers.
Dr. Tarsem Chand, Joint Secretary to Government of India also spoke on the occasion and appreciated the proprietors of Pipi Traders for opening showroom on agricultural machineries and implements. He announced that the Government of India is ready to support such kind of venture.
