Morung Express News
Kohima | April 27
The Department of Horticulture of the Government of Nagaland commemorated its Silver Jubilee here today by affirming its aim towards ‘sustainable horticulture’ in the context of climate change. The celebration was held at Capital Convention Centre, Kohima with PB Acharya, Governor of Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh, as the chief guest.
While citing the potential and importance of Horticulture in the State, PB Acharya stated the need for a careful analysis of the achievements as well as shortfalls and take immediate steps to improve performance in those areas. “We have to boost our productivity and increase economic performance in the horticulture sector by using new techniques so that the per capita income of farmers can improve. This can be done through participation of farmers actively in various programs by making them aware of modern techniques,” said Acharya.
India being the second largest fruit producer in the world after China, an increase in the demand for horticultural production is on the rise due to greater health awareness, rising income, export demands etc. However with changing environment, Acharya also pointed out the need of sustainability in all aspects of farming, and the effect of climate change in the horticultural industry. “We have to look into developing sustainable horticulture in the context of changing environment,” said Acharya, adding that sustainability should also focus towards the welfare of farmers and uplifting the poor.
A Souvenir and memento was released during the celebration. Jubilee greeting was delivered by Kejong Chang, Parliamentary Secretary of Horticulture department.
Present Status of horticultural development
The Department of Horticulture has strived to achieve excellence in horticulture, stated Alan Gonmei, IAS, Secretary Horticulture Department. Despite the immense potential for export of horticulture products, production from the State is not enough to meet export demands.
On a positive note, N. Amos Ao, Head of the Department, Horticulture, stated that a significant shift towards horticulture is evident in the State with an increase in area and production in the past decade. Some achievements of the department are the recognition of GI for Naga Mircha, Tree Tomato, and branding the Naga Pineapple.
“The Department has also shifted focus towards organic farming by converting the State into an Organic hub by bringing its ‘organic by tradition’ lands into ‘organic by design’ land,” informed Ao, where 3750 Ha has been certified as organic while another 1000 Ha is in the final stage of conversion with crops like large cardamom, ginger, turmeric, vegetables etc which have high market value offering ample scope for development of organic farming in the State.
The department, according to Ao, is yet to reach its full potential as the productivity of horticulture crops in the State is much below other States. This may be attributed to the lack of high yielding varieties, outdated cultivation practices, lack of modern agro-technologies, weak post harvest management infrastructure and poor processing capabilities resulting in huge post harvest losses.
N. Amos Ao further delineated three challenges of the State in its overall development and the improved welfare of its rural poor that is raising horticultural productivity per unit of land. This is the main engine of horticultural growth, reducing rural poverty through socially inclusive strategy that comprises both farm as well as non-farm employment, ensuring that horticultural growth responds to food security needs.
Formation of the Horticulture department
Dr. K Chuba, First Director of the department who also initiated the formation of the department in 1992 (April 1), shared the history of the formation of the department. With the State’s rich soils and climatic conditions, both sub-tropical and temperate, favorable for growing all types of horticultural crops, Dr. Chuba who was holding the post of Horticulturist and Joint Director Horticulture in the Agriculture department felt the importance of developing a Horticultural department.
Dr. Chuba viewed that Horticulture will go a long way in improving the nutritional standards of people, foreign exchange, earning through exports, increasing net return from unit area etc, and having seen the existing excellent agro-climate of the State, initiated a separate Horticulture department.
