Kikheto calls for budgeting local produces to assess shortage & surplus

Commissioner and secretary, Y. Kikheto Sema addressing officers and staff of Horticulture Department at its Directorate in Kohima on September 20.

Morung Express News
Dimapur | September 20

Commissioner & Secretary, Horticulture Department, Y. Kikheto Sema, IAS on Friday stressed on the need for budgeting of various local produces such as fruits, vegetables and floriculture in order to properly assess the shortage as well as surplus of the produces in the districts and state as a whole.

He observed that Naga people often talked about sending their produces outside the state but without ascertaining the shortfall or surplus and without establishing proper market linkages as well.

Kikheto was addressing officers and staff of Horticulture Department at its Directorate in Kohima during his formal welcome programme to the Department.

He urged the District Horticulture Officers to work out on the surplus and shortfall of fruits and vegetables within their own jurisdictions. He also told them to work out a mechanism as to how the problem of shortfall could be managed. Further, the bureaucrat emphasized on the need to identify feasible fruits and vegetable which could be grown healthy, plenty with qualities to compete with other markets in the northeast.

On market linkages, he suggested targeting NE states particularly neighbours where road transport is quick and easy. Kikheto also said the Horticulture Department would accord priority on cargo arrangement for marketing produces outside the region. In this regard, he expressed delight that the department is following up on it and told the gathering that he would meet airlines officials to further the process.

Pointing out that there are 16 horticulture departmental farms in the state, most of which are non-functional for more than 15 years, he said these farms need to be revived and used for demonstration and interaction with farmers and entrepreneurs. 

Kikheto said that his other priorities as the new administrative head of the department would be towards timely action and delivery of materials including sincerity and regularity in duties of the employees. 

“When there is delay in issuing seedlings then how can we expect the farmers to harvest? I am not going to compromise on unnecessary delays,” he said. 

Kikheto said there needed to have strong coordination and cooperation among the officers and with other line departments and the farmers. He called for collective effort towards making Nagaland a producing state and not only a consumable state.

He said even though Horticulture is a small department, it is not the size that matters but the efficiency and sincerity of the employees that yield results. “I am happy to be transferred here since this department like Land Resources also had to deal with the people and engage in determining their livelihood and economy.

Meanwhile, Kikheto informed that Monday would be made a compulsory day for the employees of the Department to wear any traditional attire of their choice with the objective of showcasing and promoting Naga culture and tradition.

“We have so many weavers but there is no market for them. And through this initiative, maybe we can give a little boost to local entrepreneurs,” he added.