Dimapur, August 18 (MExN): An MoU was signed between the Department Of Agriculture, Government of Nagaland and the International Competence Centre for Organic Agriculture (ICCOA), Bangalore on joint venture for organic agriculture.
With this MoU for a period of three years during 2009-10 to 2011-12, the Department of Agriculture Government of Nagaland is marching a step ahead for implementation of “Organic Cluster Project” with ICCOA, Bangalore, India on joint venture by the two parties. While informing about the MoU the Directorate of Agriculture, Kohima, Nagaland said that, ‘It is first of its kind in approach, to implement such a program collectively for the benefit of the farming community.’
The program is a promotional work on location specific and identified crops as per crop zoning of the state for commercial production. The selected crops are Potato, Maize, Large Cardamom, Ginger and Tea.
In this connection a team of officers from both the parties led by E.H. Lotha Joint Director of Agriculture Government of Nagaland along with ICCOA representatives Shrivashree Jadip Roy Manager(Projects) and Manoj Kumar (Project Associate) has completed the Preliminary Survey during August 7 to 11, 2009 as per the requirement.
The MoU to this effect was signed on August 12, 2009 for Joint Implementation by both the parties with immediate effect for 250 hectares of land on various crops as stated above for a period of three years.
During the time, ICCOA will focus on prioritized activities such as training of the farmers on package of practices, training on plant protection measures, organic Certification of Crops and market linkages.
The main Objectives of both the Department of Agriculture and the ICCOA includes activities like Promoting Organic agriculture and its trade, helping farmers get market for their organic products, organic food processing and value addition, arranging Buyer-Seller meetings working together for developing organic policy and program.
The Joint Venture implementation of this program was initiated in response to the second year of capacity building being observed by the government of Nagaland.
In this program, there are practical plans to tap the potentials of the State in organic agriculture, with a target to convert into real business opportunities that could generate avenues for the state and to large number of farmers in particular. “The main intention of the joint venture implementation of this program is to build up the Naga farmers and that Nagaland becomes a hub for organic agribusiness, not only in the country but also in International level,” the Directorate added.
