Neiba Kronu addressing the brainstorming session of horticulture department in Kohima Tuesday
Our Correspondent
Kohima | May 14
Parliamentary Secretary for Horticulture, Neiba Kronu, today stressed on the need to revive horticulture farms to enhance the prospect of horticulture activities in the state.
Kronu stated that horticulture is a vast subject which deals with medicinal to aromatic plants, vegetables to fruits. It also focuses on high-tech packaging and processing.
Speaking at a brainstorming session of the horticulture department here this afternoon, Kronu said that the department has ambitious plans to undertake horti-corridors in the state.
He also opined that the horticulture department can do tourism-farming in order to attract tourists.
Touching on marketing of horticulture produce, he strongly urged for an independent charge for horticulture department in the area of packaging and processing, for which the department currently relies on other departments.
Also stressing on the need to create marketing divisions in Delhi and Guwahati, he said that wild apple juice, ginger, gooseberry, tree tomato has much demand outside.
He said that the farmers, however, have to focus on quantity production or else marketing prospects will remain a distant dream.
He also stated that time has come to encourage squash cultivation in the state. Kronu also hinted at a change of system in the department.
Referring to crop zoning, Kronu said that cultivation should be in a compact area base and not “scatter-type” and at the same time maintenance, quality planting materials and water harvesting should also be taken into account.
Kronu informed that he has highlighted various problems being faced by the department to the Union Agriculture Minister, Sharad Pawar recently in New Delhi and received positive response from the latter.
Regretting that the state is yet to avail packages from the National Horticulture Board, Kronu said that briefed officials in Delhi on the need to change the guidelines so that the state can figure in the list of the Board and avail the packages. In this regard, the department will bring out a concept note.
Expressing concern over the shortage of manpower in the department, Kronu said that he is trying to study this and also to discuss it with Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on what can be done.
Meanwhile, Watienla Jamir, Director & Mission Director (HMNEH) said the department is going to focus on dissemination of information to the people from this year. Under this, the method of cultivation will be published in the form of booklets in all dialects, the process for which has started.
L. Kire, Commissioner and Secretary for horticulture also spoke at the meeting. Keynote address was given by Watienla Jamir. The meeting was chaired by Pawan Kumar, Joint Director of Horticulture.
Schematic officers and all district horticulture officers and officers-in-charge attended the meeting.
