Our Correspondent
Kohima | March 29
The state government is taking up a project for “Fostering Climate Smart Highland Agriculture in rural areas of Nagaland” under the Externally Aided Project scheme, with funding from the International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD).
The tentative amount of the IFAD loan is US $ 35 million, which work out to Rs. 237.83 crores approximately, spread over a six year period, said Chief Minister Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu in his budget speech.
The project will cover eight out of the 11 districts of the state.
Dimapur district is not being included since it is located mostly in plain areas. Tuensang and Peren districts have been excluded as they are already covered under the World Bank supported “North East Rural Livelihoods Programme (NERLP.”
The project will cover 1.3 lakh rural households, and will focus broadly on improving jhum areas and value chain development.
Dr. Liezietsu stated that the main objective of this project is to restore the ecological balance by addressing the growing human needs through a harmonious blend of modern technological advances with traditional knowledge and experience.
Rs. 533 crores for improving forest eco-system
Chief Minister Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu today announced that an important project is being implemented with external aid from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in the forestry sector. He said the project will aim at improving the forest eco-system and promote rural income generation through rehabilitation of jhum areas, while providing livelihood support in the project areas covering 79,000 hectares.
The project has an overall cost of Rs. 533 crores, and will be implemented over the period of 10 years, he said. He said that this externally aided project including a project for “Fostering Climate Smart Highland Agriculture in rural areas of Nagaland” in agricultural sector in the rural areas of the state will transform “our rural landscape, and bring about improvements in the lives of our people.”
The Chief Minister called upon all the officers involved in these two projects to leave no stone unturned to ensure that the projects are successfully implemented, in order that our credibility is enhanced in the eyes of external funding agencies, paving the way for more inflow of such funds to our state.
