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Department of Horticulture official and Phek Organic Large Cardamom Producer Company Limited exchanging the MoU signed at Pfütsero, Phek on February 20.
Morung Express News
Dimapur | February 20
The Department of Horticulture, Government of Nagaland and the Phek Organic Large Cardamom Producer Company Limited (POLCPC), Phek have entered into agreement whereby the former has leased Large Cardamom Dryer Machine and Primary Processing Unit to the latter for a period of two years. The lease deed could be extended or terminated with mutual understanding and written consent of both parties after the expiry of the lease period.
The rent amount to be paid by the POLCPC Ltd, Phek to the Horticulture Department is Rs 200 per month each for Large Cardamom Dryer Machine and Primary Processing Unit.
The agreement was signed at Pfütsero, Phek on February 20 when Horticulture Department officials led by its Advisor, Mhathung Yanthan visited Horticulture Research Farm, Pfütsero and interacted with Cardamom growers. The MoU was signed by Director of Horticulture, Dr R Elithung Lotha and POLCPC Ltd, Phek, Chairman, Wepekha Wetsah.
Speaking during the interaction, Mhathung said that Phek district has a huge potential for horticultural crops and that the district was self sufficient in many crops. He noted that the hardworking farmers in Phek had taken up farming as an enterprise. He encouraged the youngsters to continue engaging in farming activities with modern technology and latest scientific innovations for better production with better qualities. He also stressed on mechanization in farming.
Stating that farming is a business, the Advisor said post harvest management should be taken care for more profitability. Mhathung also noted that it was necessary to understand the changing climate to adapt appropriately with the change in climatic conditions.
He said that Phek district and the Chakhesang community were ahead of many Nagas communities and should not consider themselves as backward.
Also addressing the gathering, Commissioner & Secretary for Horticulture, Y Kikheto Sema, IAS said that the MoU was signed and Cardamom dryer and processing unit being handed over to the farmers on a trial basis. He said the MoU was signed since the Department trusted the Cardamom growers. He said the Department noted that drying Cardamom through smoke was unhygienic and not fetching good market price owing to content of carbon and smoke.
Kikheto also said the Department was starting the trial basis from Phek since it is advanced in various fields such as horticulture, agriculture, veterinary etc.
He pointed out that Phek was the only district to ban import of meat of all kinds for the last more than 10-15 years since it was sufficiently produced from within the district.
“So from the socio economic point of view you are advanced and advanced in all round development also,” he said. Kikheto encouraged the Chakhesang community to lead fellow Nagas in their areas of expertise.
POLCPC Ltd Chairman, Wetsah said that the company comprised of 500 farmers cultivating 500 Ha of Cardamom involving 23 villages. Their estimated sale in a year would be Rs 6 cr which comes to earning approximately Rs 1.20 lakh per member and Rs 26 lakh per village. He informed that 50 metric tons of Cardamom has been sold till date earning Rs 2 crore approximately. The total production for 2019-20 was 75 metric tons worth Rs 3 cr.
The highest yield and sale last season was by one Rhuchonyi Puro of Porba village who harvested 1000 kgs and sold at the rate of Rs 450 per kg earning him Rs 4.50 lakh.
Wetsah expressed gratitude to the Horticulture Department for rendering help to the farmers in all possible ways.
