Dimapur, May 7: Department of Horticulture, Commissioner Secretary, Anenla Sato along with Joint Director, Jerry Patton and Deputy Director, Moa Walling visited DHO Office, Peren and conducted COVID-19 Horticulture Special Drive with the representatives of various department on May 7 at Conference Hall, DHO Office, Peren under the theme “Grow More! Produce More! Earn More!”. The district wise special drive was initiated by Horticulture Department, Government of Nagaland.
Addressing the gathering, Commissioner Secretary, Asenla Sato stated the outbreak of COVID-19 has immensely affected the millions of people worldwide and it is also affecting crop cultivation and food supply chain in our state as well as the nation, thus causing a threat to our food security.
Asenla mentioned Nagaland State is blessed with rich natural resources where land are fertile with abundant rain and favourable climate, thus sustainable for any crop.
While speaking, Asenla added, the self sufficiency of the district in terms of horticultural crops and success of the farmers depends on District Horticulture Officer, therefore, she called upon the DHO Peren and his staff to convey message or spread awareness to the farmers even at the grassroot level so that they can produce more crops to sustain themselves instead of solely depending on the food supplied from outside.
She also encouraged everyone present to work harder cohesively and make our state self-sufficient in horticultural crops for nutritional and economic benefits. She further hoped that once we work together we can also contribute to the economy of Nagaland as well as in National level.
Furthermore, she pointed out that Peren is the one of the most potential farming district where local people are involve in agricultural and farming activities. She also appealed the District Horticulture Peren Staff to apprise the local farmers to follow the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) designed for farmers engaged in horticultural activities.
The programme was chaired by DHO Peren, Talimongba while technical inputs was briefed by Joint Director, Jerry Patton. Database was highlighted by Deputy Director Moa Walling.
Phek:
A special drive to fight covid-19 undertaken by Horticulture department was held at Phek on May 7 on the theme “Grow more! Produce More! Earn More”.
A team of Officers led by Director Dr. R.Elithung Lotha visited the Phek District to encourage the progressive farmers to utilize the season since agriculture activities are time bound.
The Director in his message urged the community to uplift the potential resource of our state to turn into a huge economy through farming and he also state that this is the right time to cultivate.
Deputy Director Bhupham Phom stated that Covid-19 has brought two diseases- “The virus and Famine”. The best way to avoid harsh reality of our future depends on the present action, he said.
The programme was attended by Directorate team, DHO Phek Staff, Progressive Farmers and Various leaders of different organization.
Later the team met the Deputy Commissioner Phek to discuss the potential Marketing Channel. The team emphasized that a data base of various fruits, vegetables and spices from villages for marketable surplus of the produces has been collected.
According to the department sources the department is ready to create market linkages for the surplus production. Leaflets were also distributed in English and local dialect along with hand sanitizers and face mask.
Mon:
The Special Drive on Covid-19 organised by the Department of Horticulture was held at Walo Guest House, Mon on May 6. Additional Secretary Horticulture, Zarenthung Ezung and Deputy Director Horticulture, Meyashi held a meeting with District Horticulture Officer, Mon and staff amid when everything has come to a standstill and everyone has been exposed to the harsh reality due to Covid-19.
Ezung said the need of the hour is to come out together and strategies ourselves on how to curb the impending danger that is looming around. He said the focus right now should be on self-sufficiency and sustainability since the Govt of India is giving primary focus on health care and food security to fight this pandemic measures.
Therefore, the action plan of the government is to come up with an immediate implementable project which will not only benefit the farmers by way of increasing their productivity but also provide market linkages with the help of the government.
The meeting was attended by officials from District Agriculture, Land Resources, NSRLM. The meeting was presided by District Horticulture Officer Mon, Eyongol Natso. (Page News Service)
