Kohima: In commemoration of the 50th year of statehood, the department of land resources has adopted 50 villages in Nagaland and plans to SPEEDily develop them into economically empowered and climate smart villages.
This is a special initiative for sustainable development and uplift of rural economy and thereby bring about an improved quality of life and as a step towards mitigating the effects of climate change, source said.
The duration of the project would be for a period of 5 years, after which an exit protocol shall be formulated for successful handover by the department to the community for smooth continuity.
An effective convergence and synergy of line departments and consortium of institutions would also be given emphasis so as to effectively carry out the project in a holistic manner.
According to salient features of Special Programme for Environmental and Economic Development (SPEED), the programmes and activities will ensure quantifiable results of improved quality of life for the rural households with a focus on food security, livelihoods, and market linkages and increased household income through inclusive and sustainable approaches, bring into focus the concept of “Green Economy” as a broad perspective of climate change adaptation and mitigation process, to support and develop the food production systems by improving technologies and generate cash income through introduction and expansion of agriculture and allied activities such as horticulture, cash crop, livestock, fisheries etc., to up-scale income generating activities and facilitates backward and forward linkages for input supply and output marketing and for access to information, credit, technology, markets etc.
It also aims to promote non-farm livelihoods and spin-off activities at both group level as well as individual household level, soil & moisture conservation works such as water harvesting structures and fishery ponds will be constructed. Trees will be planted for fuel, fodder, fibre, fruits and timber.
It also aim to make the villagers informed citizens on environment, sanitation, health and other social issues through aggressive sensitization and motivational campaigns. An alternative energy saving devices will be introduced thereby conserving energy and protecting village/community reserved forests, a source said.
Expected outcome at the end of SPEED
• Increased food production, greater returns in markets from agriculture and allied products and new employment opportunities.
• Improved land productivity and environmental quality as a result of soil fertility improvement, increased livestock fodder production, soil & water conservation, water harvesting, and increased vegetation.
• Efficient utilization of water and fuel energy
• Increased household income/high purchasing power thus building a strong village economy
• Sustained access to forest based livelihood by poor rural household
• An environmentally conscious and informed village which has transitioned to a green, clean, healthy and happy village with strong social capital.
• Increased food production, greater returns in markets from agriculture and allied products and new employment opportunities.
• Improved land productivity and environmental quality as a result of soil fertility improvement, increased livestock fodder production, soil & water conservation, water harvesting, and increased vegetation.
• Efficient utilization of water and fuel energy
• Increased household income/high purchasing power thus building a strong village economy
• Sustained access to forest based livelihood by poor rural household
• An environmentally conscious and informed village which has transitioned to a green, clean, healthy and happy village with strong social capital.
 MEETING RESOLUTION.JPG)
