Chizokho Vero
Kohima | Nov 9
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today made a clarion call to the farmers to be committed and take advantage of the “Year of Farmers” “so that “our land will become a land of money.”
“We want to promote the farmers to produce more, earn more and build up the rural economy,” Rio told the Honey exhibition –and-sales day here at the Red Cross Complex. “We have to build our economy and identify our areas of our strength,” he said.
Complimenting Mima village for undertaking honey production on a large and successful scale, Rio was optimistic that such trends would ‘open the eye of others to follow it.’
Referring to high demand of honey, Chief Minister stressed on the need to produce the same on a commercial scale and capture “our share of market.”
Stating that the rich bio-diversity indicates the high potential of honey production in the state, he challenged the Naga farmers to take it as an advantage and at the same time assured the government’s fullest support to the farmers.
Rio also lauded the department of Land Resource Development for undertaking various innovative programmes, adding that it will help the state move forward in attaining self-sufficiency.
The honey exhibition-and-sales day was held in commemoration of the “Year of Farmers,” said Norman Putsure, Secretary Land Resources Development.
5000 kgs of honey, produce by Mima village, was made available at the exhibition. There are 3000 colonies of honey bee in Mima village with annual income from it touching 22.5 lakh, Putsure infromed.
Presently, the villagers rear honey with traditional methods. Putsure said the department will invest another Rs. 1.5 lakh in this village and it is expected to touch Rs. 7. 5 lakh income increase from it.
Parliamentary Secretary Kipili Sangtam, Kohima Deputy Commissioner R. Ramakrishnan, SP Kohima Martin Pienyu, SDPO Kohima Vekhosa and several other dignitaries also attended the function.
