Department of Land Resources (LRD) visited coffee farms on October 26 at Litami New and Old and Phushumi villages under VK area, Zunheboto district.
The purpose of the visit was to get first hand information about the progress of coffee cultivation since the LRD has been appointed as the nodal department for coffee.
The LRD officers under the leadership of its secretary, Y. Kikheto Sema interacted with the farmers and listened to the problems faced by them in the farming process. According to the press release, LRD District Project Officer (DPO) Zunheboto, Vikugha farmers revealed that the yielding was lesser compared to earlier years to which the LRD officers explained that it was due to the global climate change and the problem of root rotting fungal infections and stemborer pest infestations. However, the farmers were told that the department was minutely studying the problem and gave some tips to handle the diseases.
Secretary, Kikheto informed the farmers that an MoU has been signed with a South African firm which will buy the products from the farmers on the spot at the same rate of New York and London Stock Exchange.
During the course of the interaction, secretary also informed that the Coffee Board of India (CBI) had agreed to provide assistance to the coffee farmers for the initial two years for maintenance. During the visit at Litami New village, the LRD officers also incidentally met a team of students from Mewar University, Rajasthan who were on a three-month field visit to the coffee farm.
LRD director, Hoto Yeptho said the department would thoroughly study the diseases affecting coffee and accordingly advise the farmers. Other officers including joint director, deputy director, DPOs of Kohima and Zunheboto are also a part of the LRD team visiting the coffee farms.