DIMAPUR: Statistical adviser, Ministry of DoNER, Government of India, Dharmvir Jha, on Thursday reviewed projects and schemes funded by the ministry during a coordination meeting held in Kohima.
According to DIPR report, Jha held review meeting with the Department of Planning & Transformation and officials from Land Resources Development, Investment & Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN) and Roads & Bridges at the office chamber of the principal secretary & Development Commissioner, Kohima. Departments of Agriculture and Tourism could not attend the meeting.
Jha expressed appreciation over the performance of IDAN and urged the department to vigorously pursue grounding of MoUs and LoAs with investors without delay. He also directed the Roads & Bridges department to expedite construction of NESIDS roads by utilizing unspent funds at the earliest. Reviewing ongoing projects, he stressed the need for sincerity and promptness in implementation, cautioning that proposals from the state must be submitted to the Ministry of DoNER with the concurrence of the Planning Department. He asked the Development Commissioner to monitor proposals from submission to implementation.
On learning about the potential of agar plantation in Nagaland, Jha assured that the ministry would examine the matter and requested the state government to submit a detailed proposal. He thanked officials present and expressed hope for continued coordination and progress.
Chairing the meeting, principal secretary & development commissioner Kikheto Sema, gave a presentation on the journey of coffee plantation in Nagaland, recalling the challenges faced in its early years and the eventual success through sustained efforts. Quoting 1 Corinthians 3:6, he said, “Paul planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.” Kikheto noted that Nagaland coffee has global potential to boost farmers’ income and employment opportunities, thanking the Ministry of DoNER for supporting pilot projects and value chain development across 17 districts.
Highlighting agar wood plantation, Kikheto said Nagaland’s warm agro climatic zones, particularly foothill areas, have natural infection occurring on a large scale. He regretted that most products are exported to Assam below market price, but informed that the Forest Department has prepared a “Policy on Agar Wood” awaiting government approval. He urged DoNER to consider the proposal, stating it would benefit farmers and generate employment for educated youth. Kikheto further asserted that while traditional jhum cultivation remains economically viable and ecologically sustainable, coffee and agar wood plantations would provide manifold income and employment opportunities. He added that Nagaland is now witnessing peace and stability for the past two decades under the leadership of Chief Minister Dr. Neiphiu Rio, enabling socio economic development with continued support from the Government of India.
