Khonoma village under Kohima district became the first Horticulture Model Village (HMV), which was launched by Nagaland minister for women resource development and horticulture, Salhoutuonuo Kruse, at Khonoma village on Friday.
HMV, a first of its kind in the state, is a project undertaken by the state horticulture department under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) for 2023-2024.
Sixteen villages, one in each district, have been identified with the emphasis on increasing production of horticultural crops like kiwi, citrus, banana, pineapple, dragon fruit, Naga mircha etc.
Speaking at the launching programme as the special guest, Kruse said HMV was conceptualised with a vision to take horticulture development activities to all corners of the state in order to increase productivity and enhance economic opportunities of the farmers. She said that the programme has been taken up to specifically boost horticulture developmental activities holistically.
Under HMV, the minister informed that the farmers would adopt innovative and modern technology to bring efficiency in horticulture production and enhance economic opportunities.
Encouraging the farmers to sincerely take up the project, Kruse said the government and department would provide all support. However, she said it was the duty of the farmers to execute in action.
She exuded confidence on the expertise and efficient officers of the department towards successful implementation of the project to take the economy of the state forward.
In his introductory speech, the head of department, horticulture, Meyasashi, said that the department’s approach was to develop “one village one crop” as a model for self-sufficiency and sustainability, which would support the livelihood of both the rural and urban population of the state. He informed that Kiwi plantation would be taken up at Khonoma village covering 30hectare.
Modern technology and practices would be applied for efficiency and increase of production.
Later, the minister also distributed vegetable seeds, vermicompost kits, farming tools etc to the farmers.
Earlier, Khonoma Baptist church Pastor Rev. Tsolie Chase offered invocation and Khonoma Village council chairman Ngusa Ratsa delivered the welcome note.