The period from April 2012 to March 2013 is declared as the “Year of Horticulture”, by the Government of India, under Horti-Division, Ministry of Agriculture.
The first phase of the state mission two-day Road show with the theme: ‘State level farmers training’ was organized by department of horticulture from November 8-9 for the people of Tsurangkong, Japukong and Changkikong Ranges of Mokokchung district.
On day one, the mission was formally launched at Chungtiayimsen village by Dr. Benjong Aier, director, horticulture. The training was attended by 409 farmers from 16 villages. The team, then, proceeded to Longchem EAC Sub-Division where the farmers from 17 villages and compounds participated.
On day two, the Road Show culminated at Molungkimong, the birth village of Christianity for the Nagas, with Watila, joint director of horticulture gracing the occasion where she delivered key note address. More than a hundred farmers from 9 villages attended the training.
The resource persons in the technical sessions were Watila, joint director for flowers, Meyasashi, HO for mushrooms, Imrong, DHO, Tuensang for fruits, Dr. RE Lotha, deputy directory for vegetables and Dr. Moa, DHO, Phek for spices.
At the end of the sessions, the trainees were provided with horti farming kits and tools, like secateurs, watering cans, vegetable seeds, mushroom spouts, etc.
The Ministry of Agriculture, GoI has divided the Horti-division into 5 Zones (North-East-West-South & Northeast Zones). As the ‘Year of Horticulture’, the Ministry has set a competition for financial assistance of 3 crore, 2 crore and 1 one crore, respectively, to the 3 best performing states from each zone.
In order to achieve the top assistance and make Nagaland, ‘a land of Horticulture’, the State Department has decided to award with financial assistance in 3 categories: best performing district, best performing farmer and best performing officer and staff. Moreover, with a positive approach from the farmers, the department is willing to provide every available logistic support and set up infrastructures.
Apart from providing agricultural kits and tools, seeds, fertilizers, facilities and materials, the department would provide up-to-date cultivation methods, green houses, agri-link roads, cold storages, farmers’ exposure trips, etc.