DIMAPUR, OCT 31 (MExN): Neiphiu Rio, Chief Minister of Nagaland expressing happiness to be back at the Agri Expo site informed, today, that the state government’s proposal to convert NE Agri-Expo Site into a permanent site with an estimated cost of Rs.25 crores has been retained by the Ministry of DONER and that the sanction is expected to come within the current financial year. He was inaugurating the two day workshop on horticulture and allied sectors organized by SASRD, Nagaland University in collaboration with Directorate of Horticulture, Government of Nagaland and Central Institute of Horticulture, Medziphema, Government of India at North East Agri Expo site, Dimapur. Rio said that it is particularly befitting in the year of farmers to organize such workshops to impart the benefits of new technology and new methods of farming to farmers.
Horticulture having a huge potential in Nagaland and which occupies a very prominent place in the scheme of improving the lot of Naga farmers, can become the driving force for the economic progress of the state, provided the people take up the challenges and opportunities in this sector and also become more entrepreneurial in their approach said Rio.
While highlighting the purpose of the workshop to impart latest technical know-how, Rio said that such workshops are very essential to bridge the distance between scientists who develop new technologies and farmers who are the ultimate users. Reminding the enthusiastic gathering that it is high time that the people really exploit the potential of agri and allied sectors to make the state self sufficient, Rio called upon every entrepreneur to make their ventures market-oriented.
Rio also urged the participants to give full attention to the processes and techniques involved in setting up agri business and assured that the state government is ready and eager to lend support and assistance to such entrepreneurs. Further, as a patron of the Horticulture Society of North East India, Rio said that farmers or interested persons can contact the Horticulture Society of North East India for any technical assistance and guidance in the field of agriculture.
Brief remarks was also given by Thangi Mannen, Secretary, Horticulture and Dr.LS Reddy, OSD, CIH Medziphema while the vote of thanks was offered by Prof.VB Singh, President, HSNEI, Dept. of Horticulture, SASRD, NU. The programme was chaired by Prof. KKannan, VC of Nagaland University.
During the two day workshop different aspects of horticulture and allied sectors will be dealt with, such as establishment and maintenance of herbal garden, mass implication by tissue culture, nursery raising and production of quality planting materials for production of organic manure and vermin compost, production of ornamental species and production techniques of poultry and piggery. Around 700 farmers from the 11 districts of the state are participating in the workshop.
