Team for monitoring NEC funded projects headed by APC Nagaland, Kikheto Sema visiting the Multimedia cum Convention Center Dimapur on July 13. (DIPR Photo)
Dimapur, July 13 (MExN): In compliance of the order from Nagaland Chief Secretary’s office, a team headed by Agriculture Production Commissioner (APC), Y Kikheto Sema is undertaking a tour for monitoring and for determining accountability and transparency in all the NEC projects.
The team started off the tour at Dimapur on July 13 by visiting development of Eri Culture for Sustainable Livelihood at Seithekhima, New Shouba, Aoyimti and Khehokhu villages.
Interacting with the villagers, a DIPR report stated that the APC dwelt on the benefits of Eri culture. “It has huge demand in the market even within the villages itself as Eri serves as a sugar free healthy food,” he stated while observing that Eri culture gives turn over within a year unlike other plants where one has to wait for several years to get the benefits. He also opined that it was not so difficult to rear Eri and added, “If you feed well, it grows well.”
Kikheto emphasized on the need for creating more awareness in the villages so that Eri rearing could be taken up in a cluster approach. He also encouraged the Eri farmers to judiciously use the assistance rendered by the Government either in cash or kind. Kikheto noted that he was very encouraged to see many women Eri farmers.
Expressing concern about the huge number of returnees due to COVID-19 pandemic, Kikheto said that with more than 15,000 returnees in the category of working class not likely to return back, he encouraged the Sericulture Department for imparting training and awareness on sericulture farming. “This is one area where Department has to focus for providing livelihood and employment to the young people,” he maintained.
Later, the team visited the Abiogenes Center for Performing Art and Culture at Dimapur, District Transport office Dimapur and Multimedia cum Convention Center Dimapur under IPR Department. Commissioner & Secretary, Maria Yanthan was also present in the project site of IPR during the visit.
The APC was accompanied by CE, Water Resources, Additional Director IPR, Tokishe Sema, Engineer Planning Department Kiyheto, Secretary, Director and officers from Sericulture Department besides others.
Meanwhile, the team will be leaving for Jalukie on July 14 for inspection of Botanical Garden cum Recreation Park and on July 15 proceed to Phenshunyu village for inspection of Integrated Ney Valley Irrigation Project.
