‘Pineapple Festival’ held in Molvom village

Advisor, Horticulture, Mhathung Yanthan, with president, IFOAM, Zhou Zejiang, and others after unveiling the ‘Pineapple structure’ at Molvom Village ground during the Pineapple Festival on November 30. (Morung Photo)

Morung Express News
Dimapur | November 30 

Advisor, Horticulture, Government of Nagaland, Mhathung Yanthan, today said even as the world is turning more and more towards organic agriculture for sustainability, Nagaland state joins with the rest of the world in promoting and developing organic agriculture.  

Being aware of the increasing importance of organic farming, the Horticulture advisor said the draft state policy on agriculture has being prepared and awaits government’s approval for adaptation and implementation.

Speaking at the ‘Pineapple Festival’ held at Molvom village ground on the outskirt of Dimapur, Yanthan said the state government is giving top priority to develop agro sector for boosting the economy of the state and that every effort is being made to increase production of agro crops through various programmes.

“Farmers need to produce not only to meet the food requirement of the family but produce to earn sufficient income. Adaptation of modern technology is of utmost necessity by blending with our traditional practice as full adoption of modern technology may not be possible in the hilly terrain,” he said.

Mhathung also said youngsters need to be encouraged to take up high-tech farming as a full time and profitable enterprise.

“Organic sector in the world is considered to be young but organic movement in Nagaland is at its infancy and I urge IFOAM and all stakeholders that are involved in organic movement to support in promoting organic agriculture in Nagaland,” he said.

The Horticulture advisor said Molvom village is famous for producing one of the sweetest pineapples in the world in large quantities, and therefore, the festival is significant as it recognizes the sincerity and hard work of pineapple farmers of the area. He said Molvom and neighbouring villages cultivate organic pineapples covering 800 hectares currently in the third year of conversion under MOVCD-NER.

Mhathung further said the Molsang Organic Pineapple Producer Company Ltd., a farmers’ producer company of the area registered under Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India, is one of the few FPCs in the state which has immense scope for growth and expansion. Later, the Horticulture advisor along with president, International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM), Zhou Zejiang, also unveiled the “Pineapple structure” erected on the ground.

The festival is organized by Nagaland Organic Konnect (NOK) in collaboration with the State Horticulture Department and Nagaland University. President, NOK, Dr. Akali Sema, gave an overview about the pineapple festival. A host of invitees including those from abroad also spoke on the occasion.