Agri Secy Manoj Ahuja Reviews Central Projects

Manoj Ahuja, Secretary, Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DA&FW), Government of India, presided over a high-level meeting on the 12th of November 2022 at the Central Institute of Horticulture (CIH), Medziphema, Nagaland, to review the Ministry's major programmes and schemes for the North Eastern Region (NER). Senior officials from all eight North-Eastern states took part in the discussions.

During the meeting, Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi, Addl. Secretary, DA&FW, informed participants about the Schemes and Programmes being implemented in the NER, with a focus on the National Mission on Edible Oil – Oil Palm, National Mission of Edible Oilseeds, Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern region, Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna (RKVY), Formation and Promotion of FPOs, National Bamboo Mission and National Beekeeping & Honey Mission. The different states of the NER presented status and issues related to the implementation of Central Government schemes.

Major issues such as the lack of planting materials for oil palm and the release of funds were discussed at this meeting. The concerned Joint Secretary of the Ministry held detailed discussions with various HODs of State Governments and resolved the issues they were facing.

Following a review of the schemes and details presented by the Secretary of the North Eastern States, DA&FW assured the States of the Department's support in resolving their issues, including the following steps:

• In each state, MRL labs, Soil testing labs, and seed testing labs will be established.

• Timely conduct of the State Level Steering Committee (SLSC) for proposal and project approval.

• All UCs and the Progress report must be submitted on time.

• Coordination with research institutes such as ICAR, SAUs, and KVKs for the latest production technology dissemination via extension system.

• Agricultural produce value chain development

• Take up and complete RKVY infrastructure projects on time.

A team led by Ahuja went on a field trip to interact with pineapple growers from Molvom village, which has the most area under a pineapple plantation. Members of the Molvom pineapple farmers' producer company met with senior Ministry officials and expressed an interest in establishing a processing facility in the village so that surplus produce can be processed locally and distributed to consumers in remote areas. The team lauded FPO's efforts under MOVCD-NER, a major initiative of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. 

The Secretary DA&FW and the Additional Secretary visited the Bamboo Resources Centre in Dimapur to see the facilities built there to promote bamboo-based products such as bamboo charcoal, furniture, agarbati making, and a bamboo museum. Under the National Bamboo Mission, the officers interacted with state officials and suggested various steps to promote bamboo-based activities in the states, which can change the livelihood of small and marginal farmers who have bamboo-based agroforestry systems. The team also went to the honey processing and testing facilities established by the Nagaland Beekeeping and Honey Mission. The facility is one of the core activities in Nagaland's beekeeping sector, processing various types of honey links collected from rock bees, stingless bees, and other local bees.

The Secretary and Additional Secretary of the Government of India also proposed various measures to improve the beekeeping sector in Nagaland with the assistance of the National Beekeeping & Honey Mission. Following that, state officials demonstrated the cutting-edge facility built in Dimapur for marketing organically grown produce at the Organic AC market, which includes grading, packaging, drying, and cold storage for perishable products. Nagaland produce from various districts is sold to local consumers through the organic AC market.

The Central team commended the Nagaland government's efforts to promote and improve the state's agriculture and horticulture sectors. Dr. Naveen K. Patle, Addl. Commissioner Horticulture, DA&FW, welcomed all dignitaries from Central and North Eastern states, and Dr. Prabhat Kumar, Horticulture Commissioner, DA&FW, delivered the vote of thanks.