Parliamentary secretary for Agriculture, Dr. Benjongliba Aier, speaking at the 8th foundation day of Centre for Horticulture (CIH) cum farmers’ training at CIH campus, Medziphema, on Wednesday. (Morung Photo)
Dr. Benjongliba addresses 8th foundation day of Centre for Horticulture
Dimapur, March 27 (MExN): Nagaland parliamentary secretary for Agriculture, Dr. Benjongliba Aier, has said that given the unique topography and varied agro-climatic and soil conditions of the North-East Region, the region can become the “horticulture bowl of India.”
“There is tremendous scope and potentiality for horticulture development in the entire North East Region. Almost all the horticultural crops ranging from temperate to tropical and sub-tropical can be grown in the region”, the parliamentary secretary. Dr. Aier was speaking at the 8th foundation day of Centre for Horticulture (CIH) cum farmers’ training on ‘high density planting (HDP) and canopy management’ held at CIH campus, Medziphema, on Wednesday.
He said high quality crops such as passion fruit, pineapple, cucumber and other exotic vegetables can be grown throughout the year in the Region and due to hilly terrain in most NE states, the development of horticulture crops is the most suitable and can be the only alternative for reviving the economy of the Region.
The parliamentary secretary also said that another advantage of the region is that organic farming has been practiced in the Region from time immemorial. Unlike in the past when horticulture farming was practiced for the basic need of food alone, Aier said that today horticulture has become an industry by itself and people from all walks of life depend on its diversified operations.
“The need of the hour for all of us is to sensitize production patterns to changing conditions of demands. In other words, high-density plantation and organized canopy management system is a must. To achieve this, we need to learn economic operations first and I am apprehensive that without knowledge of these systems every effort to increase production by any institution will not go a long way,” he said. He also said that efforts should be made to generate inputs and build up a complete network of support services within each agro-climatic zone for sensible and widespread development of horticultural crops.
Stating that holding of such farmers’ training should become a regular feature of CIH, the Agriculture parliamentary secretary also hoped that such the training would focus special attention to major issues involved, review the work done and formulate plans for the coming years.
Earlier, CIH director, Dr. Akali Sema, who has been transferred to Nagaland University in her welcome address, gave a brief account of the journey of CIH since its establishment in 2006. Dr. Akali thanked all past and present members of CIH and other allied departments for their cooperation and contribution, which have helped the centre to come to the present status. Pro-vice chancellor, Nagaland University, Prof. NS Jamir who was the guest of honour also spoke on the occasion. Sixty eight farmers from all districts of Nagaland are taking part in the training.
