FOCUS–Nagaland marks closure; transitions to line departments

Marking a significant milestone in the six-year journey of the Fostering Climate Resilient Upland Farming System in the Northeast (FOCUS)–Nagaland project, the state government on Monday formally handed over key assets to line departments and signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) to ensure continuity and sustainability of the initiative beyond its closure, a DIPR report stated.
The official programme was held at the chief secretary’s Conference Hall, Nagaland Civil Secretariat, under the chairmanship of chief secretary and Project Steering Committee (PSC) chairman, Dr. J. Alam.
Delivering his remarks, Agriculture Production Commissioner (APC) and Managing Director of FOCUS-Nagaland, Wezope Kenye, described the occasion as a landmark moment, symbolizing both the official closure of the externally aided project and the transition of its responsibilities to respective departments.
Kenye stated that a strong foundation had been established, and going forward, the success of the projects would now rest with the respective line departments. He urged these departments to remain committed to addressing the needs of the farming community in Nagaland and to ensure the continuity of support and intervention.
In his concluding remarks, chief secretary Dr. J. Alam noted that independent third-party assessments and feedback from senior officials have painted an encouraging picture of the FOCUS project, especially when compared to several other projects implemented in the state. He urged the line departments to make optimal use of the resources handed over, and to mobilize, maintain, upscale, and expand the initiatives to benefit the wider farming community.
Dr. Alam emphasized that the most valuable legacy of the project lies in its trained resource persons and knowledge partners, which he described as key assets for future development efforts. He encouraged departments to identify and effectively utilize these human resources in implementing similar projects with improved efficiency and impact.
Acknowledging concerns over the long-term maintenance of created assets, he also called on the departments to prepare for and address such challenges proactively. Dr. Alam expressed appreciation to all partner departments for their active involvement and contribution to the success of the FOCUS-Nagaland project. Earlier, the official handing over of assets and signing of the MoA took place between FOCUS-Nagaland and four key line departments- Fisheries & Aquatic Resources department, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services department, Cooperation department, and Agriculture department.
With the signing of the agreement, the respective departments have assumed full responsibility for managing the transferred assets and sustaining project outcomes. This includes future upscaling, maintenance, and utilization of the initiatives established under the project. The MoA officially comes into effect from June 30, 2025, following execution by the authorized representatives of both parties.
A PowerPoint presentation outlining the post-project roles of each department was delivered by Hraveine David, Manager, Gender & Community Institutions (C.I), who stressed the importance of institutional continuity, beneficiary support, and innovation in maintaining the gains of FOCUS-Nagaland.