Chizokho Vero
Kohima | September 17
In view of the drought situation in Nagaland, the state government has sought relief assistance amounting to Rs. 7476.64 Lakh from the Government of India involving Rs. 3088 Lakh under the Agriculture department, Rs. 1138.42 Lakh for Horticulture, Rs. 116.5 Lakh for Sericulture, Rs. 1058 Lakh for Fisheries and for Veterinary & Animal husbandry, Rs. 2075.72 Lakh.
The request for grant was submitted to the inter-ministerial central team for drought relief in the form of a memorandum during their visit to Nagaland. The team is on a visit from September 14 till the 17th to assess drought-affected areas in the state. Sources said that under the agriculture sector, 1086 villages comprising 12, 46, 987 population and 178141 farming families have been affected. The total crop area affected is 108, 966 (ha).
A 24933 (Ha) crop area has been affected under Horticulture, affecting 998 villages, 10, 25, 300 population and 100201 farming families. Under sericulture, 185 villages and 1606 farming families has been affected. A 653 (Ha) crop area has been affected under this sector. 749 villages have been affected under the veterinary and animal husbandry sector, affecting a population of 31580 farmers. Further, 1, 57, 901 animals have been affected, the report said.
On Wednesday, a high-level meeting of the state government and the inter-ministerial central team took place at Hotel Japfu with regard to drought relief where officials from Chief Minister’s Office, Planning, Agriculture, Horticulture and other important departments attended the meeting.
Minister for Agriculture Dr. Chumben Murry pointed to climate change and attributed the deficiency in food grain production to it. He requested the central team to provide calamity relief. Stating that 68% of the workforce in Nagaland is engaged in Agriculture, where the farming system is rain-fed the minister said the impact of the drought-like situation is serious.
The central team observed that the deficiency of monsoon has adversely affected the crops substantially and confirmed that yield will be less than 50% this year. The visiting team also agreed that the prevailing situation in the state might be one of the worst for the last many years.
The team said that on assessment, an estimated a decrease of 50% in the yield of food grain produce in the state this year is marked due to the drought-like situation. During their interaction with farmers, the team found that the yield of horticulture crops such as passion fruits, chili and cardamom have also been substantially affected this year.
Drought report
Agriculture:
Number of villages affected 1086
Population affected 12, 46, 987
Number of farming families affected 178141
Total crop area affected 108, 966 (ha)
Total assistance sought for Rs. 3088 Lakh
Horticulture:
Number of villages affected 998
Population affected 10, 25, 300
Total crop area affected 24933 (Ha)
Number of farming families affected 100201
Total assistance sought for Rs 1138.42 Lakh
Sericulture:
Number of villages affected 185
Total crop area affected 653 (Ha)
Number of farming families affected 1606
Total assistance sought for Rs. 116.5 Lakh
Fisheries:
Total assistance sought for Rs. 1058 Lakh
Veterinary & Animal Husbandry:
Number of villages affected 749
Population affected farmers 31580
Animals affected 1, 57, 901
Total assistance sought for Rs. 2075.72 Lakh
Total amount assistance sought Rs. 7476.64 Lakh
