Paddy field at Mezoma village under Kohima district. (Morung Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | August 7
Nagaland’s Agriculture & Cooperation Minister G Kaito Aye stated that the agri and allied departments is undertaking various steps and measures for economic recovery post COVID-19 pandemic.
All the economic sectors were badly hit by the COVID pandemic, and with the pandemic taking its toll, the state has also been adversely affected by Fall Army Worm infestation, affecting more than 3049 Hectares of Kharif crop covering 334 villages in 10 districts namely: Mon, Tuensang, Noklak, Wokha, Zunheboto, Phek, Kohima, Kiphire, Dimapur and Peren, Kaito said during the discussion on matters of urgent public importance on Post COVID Economic Recovery at the recently concluded 8th session of 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly. He said that 5.18% of the total cultivation area has been affected.
To address the affected farmers, a dedicated cell has been formed to monitor the situation and field staffs have been deputed for monitoring and control of FAW. Seeds are being redistributed to the farmers free of cost and the department is taking necessary action to mitigate the infestation, Aye said.
Effects of drought like-situation
The Minister informed that the drought like-situation due to shortfall of rain has tremendously affected paddy transplantation in many parts of the state causing setback in land preparation and raising of nursery affecting 29,050 hectares of Wet Terrace Rice cultivation, 35% area in total, covering about 80 villages. The already sown paddy seedlings have become overage, which cannot be economically viable for transplantation. It has been assessed that about 70% of the Jhum fields covering 915 villages across the state measuring about 72,664 hectares have been affected by deficient rainfall and non-germination of crops.
Crop Calendar for Nagaland
In order to guide the farmers and for ready-reference of the field officers, Agriculture Department, for the first time has prepared a Crop Calendar which was released on July 20. District wise Crop Calendar has also been published and distributed.
It is estimated that the production of agriculture and allied sectors is likely to be reduced by 50% during the current financial year 2021-22 owing to climate change.
To review the situation, CM Neiphiu Rio had a meeting with the departments on June 15, and it was decided that more water availability activities to be implemented. It was also decided to form a Core Committee of Agri & Allied Departments headed by the Agriculture Production Commissioner.
Distribute early rabi seeds by September
The Core Committee headed by APC in its meeting, decided to distribute early rabi seeds in September to the affected farmers so that they are compensated out of the sale of their winter crops.
Visualizing the importance of the economic activities, the State government has set up a committee headed by the Chief Secretary to review the economic activities carried by the departments post COVID pandemic, he said adding that that was to plan and implement departmental interventions so as to improve the livelihood of the people amidst the pandemic.
One of the initiatives that the Agri and Allied Departments undertook was the Naga Model Integrated Settled Farming (NiSF). The Model is planned to be implemented in other districts in the near future, Aye said and he was hopeful that this Model would benefit the farmer for both economical and ecological sustainability and also provide employment opportunity to the educated unemployed youth.
NSAMB reviewed
The Minister said that the Nagaland State Agriculture Marketing Board (NSAMB) was revived and it has been playing an important role in helping the farmers. With the additional grant from the GOI, Organic AC Market at Agri Expo, Dimapur along with cold storage facilities has been constructed.
NSAMB, till date has purchased more than 155 metric tonne of organic vegetables from all the districts and so far Phek has the maximum share in the business. NSAMB is sending Ref Vans to the places having surplus productions to facilitate easy and safe movements of the produce from farmers to the markets.
The state is emphasizing more on organic farming not only to get premium price for the farmers but also to provide healthy food to its citizens.
As one of the outcome of the Buyer-Seller Meet conducted by the department of agriculture and horticulture in collaboration with the Agricultural and Processed Food Exports Development Authority (APEDA), the first consignment of Naga King Chilly (Raja Mircha) was exported to London by NSAMB through APEDA.
The Department is also planning to export more products such as Bamboo shoots, Kiwi, Pineapple, Cardamom, Sweet cucumber, Tree tomato, Ginger etc to other markets.
2,00,082 farmers benefit under PM-KISAN
Under PM-KISAN, as on July 31, 2021, a total of 2,00,082 farmers have been benefitted and an amount of Rs 251,74, 82,000 has been directly credited in their individual bank accounts.
In coordination with the Central Government, the Department has verified few districts to find the non-eligible beneficiaries. Accordingly, it was found that 524 non-eligible beneficiaries have received the scheme amounting to Rs 45 lakh in respect of Dimapur and Wokha district. Similar exercise will be conducted in all the other districts.
100 bedded farmers’ hostel at Dimapur
‘To encourage and benefit the farming community and provide easy market viability, I requested the GOI for grant of additional fund for construction of 100 bedded Farmers’ Hostel at Agri Expo, Dimapur, which was granted,’ he said.
The Department of Agriculture has given priority for establishment of Model Agriculture Project (MAP), one in each district under RKVY. Under PMKSY, construction of field channel, water harvesting structure, etc were given priority to mitigate drought-like situation in the future.
For the Aspirational district Kiphire, the Government of India is granting funds under various schemes to impart training to the farmers, providing Farm machinery and equipments free of cost and for Direct Beneficiary Transfer of incentives to the farmers, the minister said.
Assist 419 cooperative societies
The Cooperation Department, through National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) sponsored Integrated Cooperative Development Project (ICDP), assisted 419 cooperative societies involving 24288 farmers.
28 Marketing Transport vehicles were distributed to 28 cooperative societies to boost their agri marketing business, including 3 cooperative marketing buses to the large and progressive cooperative societies, one mechanized compressed bricks unit at Kiphire and 2 Mithun Rearing Unit at Tuensang and Kiphire respectively. During the pandemic, several cooperative societies assisted by the Department were involved in extending humanitarian and charitable works towards the affected people.
Contributions of other allied departments were also highlighted.
