Dimapur, January 31 (MExN): Despite the increasing use of scientific methods of farming in Nagaland, Agriculture Minister Dr. Chumben Murry lamented that the economic growth of farmers in the state has not been impressive. Making this observation during the inauguration of the Central Institute of Horticulture (CIH) office at Medziphema today, Dr. Murry said the effort of scientific inputs from various Agri and allied departments to farmers has not translated into economic development.
Dr. Murry said that with 68% of the state’s workforce engaged in agriculture, the state is still unable to produce enough; even for its own consumption. He said the Agri and allied departments; and other technical institutes like ICAR and CIH need to impart more scientific methods to farmers so that the state can move on to secondary and tertiary sectors. He urged greater interface between departments and institutes to help improve the agriculture sector in Nagaland.
Further, appreciating the efforts of CIH in the agriculture sector, Dr. Murry said the state government will extend all possible help to it for further development. He hoped that CIH will continue to help improve farming methods in the state in coming years.
Agriculture Production Commissioner, H. K Khulu also expressed happiness over the establishment of CIH in Nagaland. Hoping to see its growth, Khulu said the state will cherish and nurture it. He assured cooperation of all Agri and allied departments to CIH, which is the north east region’s first centrally run horticulture institute.
Director of CIH, Dr. Akali Sema earlier highlighted about the institute. She said CIH was inaugurated in 2006 with an ambitious objective of holistic development of horticulture in the north east region.
The institute facilitates agriculture promotion and imparts training to different Agri and allied departments, and farmers. The institute is built on 43.5 hectares of land at Medziphema. ICH is still to come up with concrete infrastructure development though. The new CIH administrative office inaugurated today has been built using treated bamboo from Nagaland Bamboo Development Agency. CIH is under the Ministry of Agriculture.
