DIMAPUR: Director of Jute Development, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India, Jintu Das, has urged farmers in Kezoma village under Kohima district to strengthen millet cultivation through improved farming practices, collective efforts and effective marketing strategies.
Das visited the village on November 11 to assess the progress of millet cultivation. During the visit, he informed that he serves as the nodal officer overseeing agricultural development activities in the Northeastern states, including Nagaland, and said the visit was aimed at reviewing the status of millet farming and encouraging its wider cultivation in the region.
He advised farmers to form Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) to avail support and assistance from the concerned departments. He also stressed the need to adopt improved farming techniques and focus on proper branding and packaging of locally produced commodities to enhance their market value.
Appreciating the extent of millet cultivation in the village, Das expressed satisfaction with the efforts of the farmers, noting that they had successfully integrated traditional knowledge with modern agricultural practices. He further encouraged them to make effective use of the agricultural machinery provided to improve productivity.
During the visit, demonstrations of both traditional and mechanised millet milling were conducted. Officials from the Directorate of Agriculture and the District Agriculture Office were also present on the occasion.
