Participants with officials during the training on the operation of hydraulic areca nut leaf plate making machine cum inauguration programme in Dimapur. (Photo Courtesy: LRD Dimapur)
Dimapur, July 14 (MExN): As a measure taken up to promote areca nut based enterprises in Nagaland under the Post COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan in Nagaland, the Department of Land Resources under North East Council (NEC) initiated the distribution of hydraulic areca nut leaf plate making machines to farmers selected from seven districts.
To commemorate this initiative, one day training on the operation of hydraulic areca nut leaf plate making machine cum inauguration programme was organized for the farmers by the Office of the District Project Officer, Dimapur at the residence of Nihokhu Chophi, Progressive Farmer, 5th Mile Dimapur, said a press release issued by Zacheo Murry, Assistnat Programme Coordinator, DoLR, Dimapur.
Gracing the occasion, T Renben Lotha, Director LRD, Puvil Kikhi, Dy Director LRD and Supervisory officer for Dimapur district and Inatoli Chishi, State Programme Coordinator, LRD, District Project Officers and staff were present.
In his speech, Director T Renben Lotha pointed out that this initiative was taken up keeping in mind the available areca nut plantation which was taken up through the PMKSY-IWMP programme in the state. With material easily available, this was considered to be the most practical approach towards utilizing the resources in an environment friendly manner and providing self sustenance for the farmers during difficult times presented by the ongoing pandemic.
Lotha asserted that the biodegradable feature of the areca nut leaf advocated the principles of Permaculture to which this method of plate production can be considered far more superior in regards to practicing environment friendly measures as compared to the ill-effects caused by the use of plastic.
The Director urged the farmers to become agents of change by promoting this activity in their respective villages and requested each of them to inaugurate the launch of the machines before commencing operations for the sake of creating awareness among the public. He also laid stress on the machine’s capability of producing other items apart from areca nut leaf plates for which he encouraged the farmers to carry an innovative approach in order to produce other items with special emphasis laid on eco friendly measures.
The training session included a detailed practical demonstration conducted by Nihokhu Chophi on the operational usage of the machine. It may be mentioned here that Nihokhu Chopi has been practicing his home based Areca nut leaf plate making business for more than 15 years.
In total, 11 participants from Wokha, Dimapur, Peren, Zunheboto, Mon, Mokokchung and Longleng participated in the training. Welcome speech was delivered by Puvil Kikhi, Deputy Director LRD and Supervisory officer for Dimapur district and word of thanks was delivered by Ngujirho Nyuthe, Watershed Development Team Member, Dimapur.
