Agriculture Minister Kaito Aye with dignitaries during the Agriculture Officers Co-ordination meeting in Kohima on September 2. (Morung Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | September 2
Nagaland Agriculture & Co-operation Minister, G Kaito Aye today called upon department officers to identify bogus beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme in Nagaland.
It may be noted that recently 524 bogus (ineligible) beneficiaries were detected in Nagaland. The Minister told officers to root-out bogus beneficiaries as per government directives.
Presently, there are 2,14,623 beneficiaries registered under PM-KISAN scheme in Nagaland as of August 30, 2022. The e-KYC done so far against the total registered beneficiaries is only 1,51,676. Farmers in Nagaland have meanwhile availed Rs 3,16,31,48,000 as of August 30, 2022.
Speaking at the Agriculture Officers Co-ordination Meeting here at Capital Convention Centre, the Minister called upon the officers to gear up and see that various schemes/facilities are implemented in an efficient and proper manner. He also stressed on the need to spread awareness on Kisan Credit Card (KCC).
Aye challenged the department officers to give more efforts with zeal and dedication as “we are dealing with the most vulnerable section of the community i.e. farmers.” He called upon the officers to re-visit the ‘abandoned farms’ so that the issue can be reviewed and brought to the notice of the state cabinet. He called upon them to undertake field visit to ascertain the ground reality.
Further, the Minister stressed on the need to teach scientific method of farming to enhance agriculture production.
From traditional to modern
Nagaland Agriculture Production Commissioner (APC) Y Kikheto Sema told the officer that the traditional system of farming based on jhum and shifting cultivation should be pondered upon.
He said that the traditional way of cultivation in Nagaland is quite peculiar, adding that “Our system of traditional cultivation is not adequately included in any curriculum of any university in our country or in the world.”
“We need many scientists to come forward to write the uniqueness of our cultivation system, which should be included in the syllabus of the university in our country,” he said. He continued that the traditional way of cultivation is not found to be economically viable and ecologically sustainable.
“We need to change our system of cultivation from traditional to modern one,” he said at the same time asking the officers to change their mentality from the old calendar to a new calendar.
“Let us work together with four Cs- Cooperation, Coordination, Confidence and Contribution,” he said. He also called upon the officers and staff of the department to be present in their respective stations.
The inaugural programme was chaired by Agriculture Director, M Ben Yanthan while keynote address was delivered by Additional Director, C Peter Yanthan. Vote of thanks was delivered by Additional Director, BN Phom.
Status of oil palm cultivation
During the coordination meeting, Ronchamo Kikon, Subject Matter Specialist, Programme Officer, I/c National Mission on Edible Oils - Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) highlighted the present status of oil palm cultivation in Nagaland.
The cultivation of oil palm started in 2015-16 and an MoU was signed with Shivasais Oil Palm Private Ltd, Andhra Pradesh on September 11, 2014 and revised on August 11, 2015. A co-ordination/ review meeting was held on August 18, 2021 and settled for target area of 15000 ha.
As per record, cultivation in the state has covered 5423 ha spread across the state. The fruiting area stands at 1127 Ha. The total FFBs production stands at 1654.07 MT, Kikon stated, adding that buy back of FFBs is yet to start.
He informed that the state is in the process of establishing seed gardens, nursery and processing mill for which it has been approved under NMEO-OP (2022-23).
He informed that the MoU with Shivasais Oil Palm Pvt Ltd was terminated and the department is in the process to float Expression of Interest for empanelment of companies/implementing partner very soon.
The department envisages extending plantation areas in a sustainable manner along the hugely potential foothills areas of the state. Cultivation will be on a cluster mode. For this purpose, Zone 1 covers Peren, Dimapur, Chumoukedima, Niuland, Wokha and Zone 2 covers Mokokchung, Longleng and Mon.
Later, RK Mathur, Director, ICAR- IIOPR assured all possible help to take oil palm activities forward in Nagaland.
