MOVCD-NER phase-III program implemented by Service Provider ‘The Green Caravan’ under the supervision of the Agriculture Department, Nagaland started with the formation of Farmers Interest Group.
Kohima, August 1 (MExN): Mission Organic Value Chain Development – North Eastern Region (MOVCD-NER) phase-III program implemented by the Service Provider ‘The Green Caravan’ under the supervision of the Agriculture Department, Nagaland started with the formation of Farmers Interest Group (FIG).
These FIGs will further federate into a Farmer Producer Organization/Company, said Richard Belho, chairman, The Green Caravan.
Under the programme, there are around 10,300 farmers covering the entire state while The Green Caravan will be covering 7 districts of Nagaland including Dimapur, Kohima, Mokokchung, Zunheboto, Mon, Longleng and Tuensang, he said, adding that the crops selected are high value crops like ginger, potato, green chilli etc for commercial purpose.
Altogether more than 100 villages will be covered in all 7 districts under the project, he said.
A total of 16 villages will be covered under MOVCD-NER Phase-III in Kohima district, while the first village included in the FIG formation is Jakhama village, where a total of 50 farmer beneficiaries were present.
The FIG formation program commenced after a prayer by Kechaseno Kulnu wherein the lead farmer for Jakhama village Deizenuo Viswentso asserted that the farmers strictly practice organic farming. She also spoke on the problems faced during ginger cultivation. She also informed on the requirements relating to equipment which would be necessary for easier crop management.
She also informed that the first installment of the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) has been received.
Project Associates of The Green Caravan, Manen Ozukum and Thejaseto Terhujah highlighted the beneficiaries on the aspects of the MOVCD-NER program and concluded the program after dividing them into three FIG groups.
A farm inspection session was conducted to assess the progress of the cultivation where the lead farmer informed that the irregular rainfall was a problem but that they were trying their best to find alternate ways to ensure proper and timely irrigation.
The second village visited by the team under MOVCD-NER was Kigwema Village. The FIG installation was chaired by Project Associate, Manen Ozukum and started with an invocation from lead farmer Seyievilhou Yhokha.
Sharing the aspects of MOVCD-NER, The Green Caravan, chairman, Richard Belho touched on the vision of a fully organic state.
The FIG installation programme was conducted by Project Associate Thejaseto Terhuja and concluded with a mass prayer.
The issues of some beneficiaries not receiving their DBT was shared by the lead farmer and the project associates assured to relay the message to the nodal department.
The third village covered was Mezo Basa. The FIG installation was chaired by Manen Ozukum and started with an invocation from lead farmer Kezha K Koutsu.
The FIG installation was conducted by Thejaseto Terhuja.
During an interaction session, the problems of some farmers not receiving their DBT were shared and the project associates assured to relay the message to the nodal department.
The fourth village covered was Jotsoma. The FIG installation was chaired by Manen Ozukum and started with an invocation from lead farmer Roko.
Sharing the aspects of MOVCD-NER Phase-III, Richard Belho informed the gathering of the ongoing works of The Green Caravan and assured help in all ways possible. The FIG installation was conducted by Thejaseto Terhuja.
Mention may be made here that Prime Minister Narendra initiated a scheme for development of commercial organic farming in the North East region during 2015 which later became to be known as Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER).
