Our Correspondent
Kohima | April 7
Admitting the enormous scope of horticulture to enhance state’s economy, Parliamentary Secretary for horticulture, Neiba Kronu pulled his socks up to streamline the department for the benefit of the people in the state. Kronu said the department will soon complete the process of its action plan for submission to the Government of India.
Once the action plan is approved by GOI, it will go in the right perspective; he said adding that the department is set to submit its action plan to the GoI by April 16. “Horticulture is a vast subject. It is through horticulture that our economy can greatly improve,” he told the media persons here today at his official residence. He, however, regretted that people could not take care of horticultural crops due to which horticulture could not find its due shape. He negated the perception of floriculture as the core area of horticulture. He said that it cover all species of fruits existing in this part of the country. It also covers medicinal and aromatic plants, bamboo, Coconut Board, Tea Board, National Horticulture Board etc. He announced that crop zoning would be identified and an assessment made as to which district can do what. “We are weak in marketing, post harvest, processing and packaging,” he said and stressed on the need to improve upon such areas.
He informed of his team’s recent visit to Delhi where they met officials in the Ministry and came back with a positive response. He told the ministry officials that horticulture needs to be an independent department, citing that in marketing it depend on the Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC) under the Agriculture department and in the area of processing; it again depends on the Industry department.
He said that inaction on part of the aforementioned departments would hamper horticulture activities in the area of marketing and processing. He added that the department requires independent charge to fully meet the desired level of production as well as marketing and processing. “Since production has already started we are ready for marketing, so horticulture needs to be an independent department,” he said.
With regard to policy making, he informed that the aforementioned matter was already conveyed to Chief Minister and is waiting for cabinet approval. He was optimistic that once the state writes to the GoI, the matter would be addressed. Kronu said the area between Kohima and Dimapur has been earmarked as a Horticulture Corridor where the government will extend help for horticultural activities.
He also assured that each district of the state would be allotted with hi-tech facilities and “Centres of Excellence” would be introduced in a few districts.
Kronu also stated that even after the bifurcation of the Horticulture department from the Agri department, there was no post creation till date. “We are very less in manpower,” he said and expressed concern as to how to the department could implement and handle the numerous projects and schemes at hand with the existing manpower.
On the other hand, he expressed satisfaction over the efficient and hard working atmosphere of the department from the Director to the bottom. Kronu also expressed his desire to encourage wild fruits that are available aplenty in Nagaland and have commercial value.
On organic produces, Kronu strongly stressed on the need to fully put the organic policy into place. He maintained that floriculture is doing well in the state and added that people would have to involve more in the field. Kronu also stressed on the need to have a horticulture link road and collection centre for the horticulture produces. He informed that the department would soon be appointing the technical assistants/experts on contract in all the districts to assist the District Horticulture Officers.
“We need good planting materials,” he said and assured to provide quality seeds to the people of the state to ensure a result oriented production of horiculture produces in the state.
