Implementation of HTM-NE increase horti and agri productivity: Khing

Parliamentary secretary for horticulture, R. Khing Wednesday said successful implementation of Horticulture Mission for Northeast (HTM-NE) with various technological interventions has led to tremendous increase in the production of various horticultural and agricultural crops.

“There has been tremendous increase in the production of horticultural crops such as fruits, vegetables, flowers, plantation crops, species, medicinal and aromatic crops in our region”, Khing said while speaking as chief guest at the two-day Northeast Farmers’ meet on the theme, “farmers group: better access to market”.

However, instead of increase in productivity, the farmers and entrepreneurs engaged in the farming sector of the region still remain the most unorganized sector, parliamentary secretary added.

Observing this, the central institute of Horticulture, Medziphema in collaboration with the state department of horticulture, ICAR, SFAC and other key players organized the Northeast Farmers’ meet to bring all farmers and stakeholders together to provide better linkages and coordination for promotion of production and marketing to make farming more remunerative, Khing added.

He said the consumers of today have become health conscious and added demands for the items produced in the region are likely to increase in the near future as crops in the region are grown with minimal use of chemicals.

For this, Khing urged the farming community and entrepreneurs to take full advantage of the liberalization and globalization of markets and infuse the country’s high end market with the produce of the region.

On the occasion, the chief guest also released books and booklets published by Central Institute of Horticulture (CIH) on various horticulture and agricultural crops.

Earlier, director CIH, Dr. Akali Sema delivered the welcome address followed by brief remarks by dean SASRD, Nagaland University, Dr. R.C. Navak and key note address by director (projects) SFAC New Delhi, D. Bhuyan.Vote of thanks was delivered by joint director horticulture, Watienla followed by technical session.

74 active farmers organizations from the entire northeastern states, 17 NGOs and participants from various state departments are taking part in the meet.

During the two-day meet, topics on farmers’ organizations in NER, business opportunities for farmers’ organization and formation of NE horti farmers forum would be imparted to the farmers by resources persons from outside the north east.

On the concluding day, equipments to beneficiaries would also be distributed at Central Institute of Horticulture complex.