Our Correspondent
Kohima | March 22
Nagaland Governor, PB Acharya today informed that in order to enhance the resilience of farmers to climate change and to increase household agricultural income of the farmers, the department of agriculture is implementing a World Bank assisted project- Fostering Climate Resilient Upland Farming Systems in the North East (FOCUS) in partnership with International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
This project seeks to benefit almost 7,30,000 people and 1,46,000 households in about 754 villages in the eight districts of Mon, Longleng, Zunheboto, Wokha, Kiphire, Phek, Mokokchung and Kohima.
“My government plans effective and timely implementation of this project to increase the environmental sustainability and profitability of the farming systems practiced by the highland farmers of Nagaland,” Acharya said.
He meanwhile stated that farmers have no incentive for increasing production due to marketing constraints. “My government will create marketing mechanism, including buy-back facilities, so that the farmers are encouraged to produce more and they are assured of remunerative returns,” the Governor said.
Also stating that the government will encourage production of high value organic agricultural produce, Acharya added that adequate marketing linkages will also be developed to promote export of organic fruits and vegetables.
He maintained that the strength of the state lies in its organic farm produce, flowers and fruits. Nagaland is located in one of the 25 hot bio-diversity areas of the world, he said adding that the rare medical plants and herbs can truly help create jobs and boost the economy.
Further recognizing that Nagaland's coffee is being appreciated on a wide scale, Acharya was hopeful that with the plans for development of 5000 hectares of coffee plantation in the state, in collaboration with Coffee Board of India; coffee has great potential for augmenting the income of farmers.
