Morung Express News
Jalukie | November 12
In a bid to transform Peren district into an organic farming district, the ITC (Indian Tobacco Company), an organic certification agency headed by Amresh Pandey visited Jalukie and interacted with local farmers today.
The venture which is being jointly undertaken by UCOS-PDN and TFA, the umbrella organization of farmers under the district is with the objective of converting organic cash crop cultivation into commercial scale production. The visiting team in collaboration with Amos, DHO Peren, examined the much-hyped Raja Mircha (King Chilli) brought from neighbouring hills and plain sectors.
According to the team, it was learnt that they would regularly visit the area on a bi-monthly basis before giving full recommendation on its feasibility. Jhum practices would be discouraged; use of single crop varieties would be preferred and even the seeds would be free from inorganic substance. The source also disclosed that many central agencies were restrained from exploring the North-Eastern region owing to the extra expenses incurred in the course of marketing process.
The team also visited Phek earlier to study the prospects of ginger and passion fruits cultivation in the district. It may be mentioned that tons of Raja Mircha, supposed to be the hottest chilli according to the Guinness Book of Records, produced organically in Peren district are being dispatched to other parts of the state for commercial purpose during peak seasons.
