Land Resource Department (LRD) organized State level watershed conference in culmination of PMKSY-WDC Batch II at Capital Convention Centre, Kohima Monday.
Reading out the address of the chief minister T.R Zeliang in his absentia, minister Roads & Bridges, Dr. Neikiesalie Kire said inspite of Nagaland being an agrarian state with over 70% population engaged in agriculture, food production was grossly inadequate and state has to depend on the import of food grains, both cereals and pulses from other states.
He pointed out the main reason for low productivity was the reluctance to use scientific technologies and farm mechanization. Kire said it was a big challenge for the department to continue with the good work in uplifting the less privileged people in the rural areas of the state and expressed confidence that the department would strive harder to bring desired results in implementing the central schemes like PMKSY in the state in near future. The minister also informed that in order to encourage farmers to take up cultivation and for other source of income generation, PMKSY has introduced plantation crops like medicinal and aromatic plants as alternative farming in the state.
He congratulated the LRD for organising the mega event to showcase the achievements made by the department in collaboration with self help groups and livelihood groups in implementing the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY), the erstwhile Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP) in the state. Kire said PMKSY has addressed the issue to certain extend with the introduction of plantation crops such as rubber, cardamom, tea, coffee etc.
He also recalled that during the year 2011-2011 a total number of 22 projects (Batch II) under PMKSY watershed component were implemented by the department covering 182 micro watershed villages spreading over11 districts covering an area of 83,082 hectares. Kire acknowledged that the 2017 culmination of Batch II marks the positive impact on the lives of the farmers in 182 villages where projects have been implemented.
Parliamentary secretary, Land Resources and Excise, B.S. Nganlang said the availability of land resources with no excessive control over the land and its resource could benefit the Nagas if the potentials were harnessed with dedicated minds.
He urged to make the best use of the available resources and make a self-sufficient state and also congratulated the department for successfully implementing the various schemes and appealed to continue the good works they have been doing.
Chief secretary, Pankaj Kumar spoke on diversification of crops and to develop resilient agriculture in line with the holistic approach of the department, to reduce the risk involved and also in-line with the market demand. He also mentioned about the development of spring-shed water management projects to solve the water scarcity in the state especially during winter season. On the occasion, CS assured to work out plans for the future career of the employees working under IWMP on fixed pay. Director, Land Resources, Hoto Yeptho and DPO, Kohima Dr. Menuosietuo Tseikha presented the overview of the Nagaland watershed and overview of Kohima watershed (PMKSY Batch-II) respectively.
Representative from Rumensinyu village of Kohima District Watershed Community chairman and chairman, Watershed Committee, Yongam Village spoke on behalf of the village, highlighted the achievement and success story with the implementation of the scheme.
The second batch–II of the project sanctioned during 2010-11 has a project culminated by covering an area of 0.83 lakh hectare at total cost of Rs. 124.62 crores.
The programme was chaired by secretary, Land Resources, Y. Kikheto Sema, while Rev. Belho invoked God’s blessing. Earlier the chief guest also released the LRD communiqué a special edition while the chief secretary inaugurated the exhibition stall setup by the SHGs and livelihood groups.