Bensinle Tep
Dimapur | November 15
Despite modern civilization and industrialization, agriculture still remains the backbone of Indian economy. Nearly two-third of Indian population are engaged in agro-based activities especially the North-East, because of the topography of the region and being mainly dominated by tribals. Agricultural potential in the region shows not only significance to the economy but also provides food security while maintaining sustainable development. While it might be understood that because of lack of awareness and lack of modern machinery reaching out to wider section, and the slow delivery process from top to bottom, may retard agricultural growth, but however, today Agriculture in the N.E is progressing efficiently, famers are now realizing the use of machine for effective and efficient farming.
The ongoing North East Region Agri Expo under the theme ‘Progressive Agriculture’ at Dimapur serves as an important opportunity to realize the fundamental importance of agriculture. It provides an excellent platform where farmers are introduced to modern farming and where consumers meet sellers. It also provides an opportunity where all N.E states come together for agricultural development.
Different states from N.E are also participating by exhibiting their agricultural pride. Assam showcases high yielding varieties, hybrids, improved cultivars of agricultural crops produced and processed in Assam while Arunachal Pradesh exhibits its horticulture produces such as cardamom, ginger, aromatic and medical plants. Tripura highlights SRI technique to Jhum cultivation, a congenial growing condition for growth and development of rice plants, particularly in the root zone than those grown under traditional practices.
Mizoram exhibits its finest produces especially its achievement in mulberry sericulture, Anthurium flowers, which are even exported to other countries, Oil palm, grown only in Mizoram in the whole of N.E. and which Mizoram considers as the future of its economy. Sikkim exhibits its success in cash crops development, like rice noodles, egg thukpa, local processed cheese, churpis, and tea leaves while Nagaland emphasizes its finest bamboo crafts.
Agri & Allied Department, Government of Nagaland also participates by exhibiting each of its success stories, projects, awareness, and various produces. The Department of Horticulture highlights success stories of various districts like Tuensang and its cardamom cultivation, Zunheboto district and its Sastami Pineapple and Kiwi projects, Peren District and its cultivation of cashewnut and turmerics, Kiphire and Wokha’s success on apple and orange cultivation, Phek and Zhavami vegetable village, Dimapur and Molrom Pineapple Project, Mokokchung and Banana, Mon District and Naga Chilly and Kohima and orange projects.
At the same time the department also emphasizes on progressive floriculture by highlighting success stories of lover of flowers and the development of Mushroom technology. Co-operation Department aims at giving across the message of strengthening the people for economical self-reliance by highlighting the need for human resource development and skill training and education. Irrigation and Flood Control Department exhibits demonstration of proper water usage in farming. Nagaland Bee keeping & Honey Mission (NBHM) exhibits on honey cultivation and harvesting, and awareness of Apitherapy, a bee venom treatment.
Soil & Water Conservation department highlights conservation of rain water for irrigation, environmental control, soil testing and water harvesting in Nagaland. Department of Land Resources demonstrates on necessary field conditions for cultivation and potential rubber cultivation in Nagaland, whereas Department of Agriculture emphasizes on improved Jhum Cultivation and upgrade of age old farming. Besides these, the Allied departments also attempts to sensitize on potential medicinal and aromatic plants of Nagaland, beneficial insect resources of Nagaland, energy development, and method of isolation and culture of Agar Fungus and promoting organic produces of Nagaland like Green Tea, Pepper, bathing soaps.
AgriTech services also exhibits on agricultural tools and machinery with view to reaching out to farmers on availability of modern machinery. Sericulture Department of Nagaland exhibits naturally died silk yarn, silk products, silk spinning and keeling machineries. Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department participates by exhibiting on animal rearing and feeding. The department will also be hosting Dog Show on November 16.
The expo also displays various exhibitions of high quality agri implements, cultural stores, ethnic huts representing each Naga tribe, and most importantly the ‘Rural bazaar’, which offers varieties of agricultural produces of Nagaland. The expo will help promote agriculture in the larger scale by providing the opportunity for exposure to modern day farming and help promote progressive agriculture.
