DIMAPUR, JUL 28 (NPN): Nagaland governor Nand Kishore Yadav on Tuesday called for making agriculture in the state more productive, resilient and market-oriented, while stressing the need for sustainable farming practices, innovation and effective implementation of government schemes to improve farmers’ livelihoods.
Chairing a review meeting of the department of agriculture at Lok Bhavan, Kohima, Yadav appreciated the department’s efforts in implementing developmental programmes across the state. He urged officials to adopt innovative approaches, strengthen convergence among stakeholders and ensure that government initiatives reached the farming community effectively.
The governor’s made the remark after the department presented an overview of its organisational structure, ongoing schemes, achievements, challenges and future plans.
Officials highlighted initiatives to improve agricultural productivity, promote sustainable farming, strengthen irrigation infrastructure, expand mechanisation and enhance farmers’ income through various centrally sponsored schemes and state programmes.
The department informed the governor that nearly 70% of Nagaland’s population depended on agriculture, with women constituting around 65% of the agricultural workforce.
It also presented the state’s agricultural profile, production targets, cropping intensity and progress under various programmes.
The meeting reviewed the implementation of key schemes including RKVY, NFSNM, MOVCD-NER, SMAM, PDMC and the like.
Officials also briefed the governor on efforts to expand oil palm cultivation, promote organic and natural farming, develop water harvesting infrastructure, strengthen farmer training and capacity building, and improve market linkages for agricultural produce.
The department further highlighted implementation challenges, including fragmented landholdings, inadequate infrastructure, difficult terrain and poor road connectivity, and outlined measures being taken to address them.
