Deputy Commissioner (DC) Niuland, Sara S. Jamir said the district has the potential in emerging as one of the richest districts in Nagaland in the field of agriculture given its advantageous topography and favourable climatic conditions for various crops.
The DC was addressing a distribution programme of tea saplings to small tea growers of Niuland district under tea development programme (RKVY) organised by Sub-divisional Agriculture Office (SDAO) Niuland on July 20 at its office premises as the special guest, stated a press release by SDAO Niuland.
Highlighting the ways to exploit agriculture sector in the district, Jamir encouraged the tea growers to go for land expansion for tea cultivation and employ youths to curb unemployment.
She also stressed on collaboration of the various stake holders and requested the SDAO Niuland to give technical support and supply necessary implements and machineries to the growers.
The DC also envisioned on patent of Niuland tea which could bring more recognition in the tea industry of the world.
Speaking on the prospect and potential of tea farming, commercial manager of Atoqa Tea Producer Co. Ltd, Simon Jyrwa delivered a brief introduction of the Atoqa Tea Producer Co. Ltd and its functions. He said factory has a packaging unit located at Nikhekhu village, Niuland having a capacity of 23 lakh kgs green leaf and 5 lakh kg CTC made per year licensed under Tea Board of India.
He said the main vision was to cater to the problems faced by the small tea growers by reducing the cost of transportation and a fair price for green leaf.
Simon cited lack of technical knowledge of tea cultivation and its management, shortage of tea plantation area and lack of labour as three main reasons for low supply.
The programme was chaired by AO, Obed Chisho, keynote address was delivered by SDAO Niuland, L. Kivika Chophi, short speech on behalf of the tea growers was given by Hd. GB of Kuhoxu Village, Tokishe Zhimo and vote of thanks was delivered by AI, Leah. The programme concluded with distribution of 50,000 teas saplings to tea growers from different villages under Niuland district.
Niuland has huge potential in agri sector: DC
