The review meeting of the Centrally Sponsored Schemes of North-Eastern states held at CIH, Medziphema on November 12 (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Dimapur | November 12
Y Kikheto Sema, IAS, Agriculture Production Commissioner(APC), Commissioner and Secretary, Nagaland today revealed that the current standing area of oil palm plantation in the state was 1126.85 hectares (Ha), down from 5423 Ha across seven districts. In terms of production, the total output of raw material for oil palm or Fresh Fruit Bunches (FFBs) was 7533 MT while Crude Oil Production (COP) was nil.
This was stated during the first-ever review meeting of the Centrally Sponsored Schemes of North-Eastern states, held under the Chairmanship of Manoj Ahuja, IAS, Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, DA&FI, Government of India (GOI) at the Central Institute of Horticulture (CIH), Medziphema on November 12.
The schemes included the National Mission of Edible Oils (NMEO) - Oil Palms, National Mission of Edible Oilseeds, Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), Mission Organic Value Chain Development for Northeastern Region, Rashtriya Krishi Vikash Yojana (RKVY), Formation and Promotion of Farmers Producer Organisation.
Several senior government officers of the Agriculture and Horticulture departments from the eight Northeastern states were present at the review meeting besides other government officials from the Central ministry.
Sema further stated that the allocated amount by the Ministry for NMEO- Oil Palms for the 2021-22 period was around Rs 250 lakhs while Rs 907.30 lakhs had been released for the period of 2022-23 against the allocated amount of Rs 2169.06 lakhs. In addition, it was also made known that the funds sanctioned and utilised under NMEO-Oilseeds was Rs 72.50 lakhs for 2022-23 period. For Nagaland, oilseed cultivation is undertaken as rainfed farming on small and marginal land holdings.
Further, the APC highlighted that the state was focusing to enhance the production of oil seeds with improved technology intervention and High Yielding Varieties (HYVs). The primary oil seeds for cultivation were ground nuts, soybean, sesame, rapeseed and mustard variety and linseed.
He also mentioned the challenges faced by the state in increasing production in other horticulture related activities, fund allocation, etc.
During the meeting, other representatives from the seven NE states also shared their progress of oil plantations including, National Mission for EO-OP, Financial Status, status of RKVY and setting up of testing labs.
Manoj Ahuja, while giving his concluding remarks, noted that proper studies needed to be conducted for retainment of traditional knowledge. He observed that the road to development of the NE states was through agriculture. As such focusing on priority areas was essential, such as providing agricultural loans to farmers, need to reach deadlines by respective state governments, and timely release of funds, among others.
